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Cheapest Biology Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Williams College and Harvard University deliver biology degrees at net costs below $17,000, making elite education surprisingly accessible through generous financial aid. This reflects Massachusetts' unique position where top-tier private schools often cost less than mid-tier options after aid calculations. The state's 20 biology programs range from $14,590 to $24,944 in net costs, with public universities like Worcester State offering strong value at $14,738. Massachusetts biology graduates enter a job market shaped by the state's concentration of biotech companies around Cambridge and Boston, where firms like Biogen and Moderna create demand for entry-level scientists. Early career earnings span $27,181 to $41,308, with Salem State graduates commanding the highest starting salaries at $41,308 despite the program's modest net cost of $18,441.
48
Programs
$14,590 – $43,273
Net Price Range
$34,031
Avg. Program Earnings
68.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

48 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,590 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
2 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
3 $14,852 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
4 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
5 $16,698 $11,630 49.5% 87.4%
6 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
7 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
8 $17,970 $11,389 54.6% 87.7%
9 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
10 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
11 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
12 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
13 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
14 $18,707 $11,884 49.1% 92.5%
15 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
16 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
17 $21,436 $42,061 64.7% 90.9%
18 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
19 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
20 $24,944 $26,000 53.2% 73.2%
21 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
22 $25,299 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
23 $25,702 $35,013 28.4% 74.2%
24 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
25 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
26 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
27 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
28 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
29 $28,346 $47,770 69.5% 88.8%
30 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
31 $29,187 $43,707 67.6% 75.6%
32 $29,504 $46,220 48.3% 87.5%
33 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
34 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
35 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
36 $30,236 $44,960 43.2% 76.0%
37 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
38 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
39 $31,569 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
40 $31,805 $32,780 61.7% 86.2%
41 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
42 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
43 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
44 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
45 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
46 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
47 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%
48 $43,273 $59,070 88.4% 57.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

How do elite colleges achieve such low net costs for biology students?

Williams College charges $64,860 in sticker price but delivers a $14,852 net cost through substantial financial aid packages. Harvard follows a similar model with $59,076 tuition reduced to $16,816 after aid. These schools use large endowments to make education affordable for middle and lower-income families. The result puts Ivy League education within reach of many Massachusetts residents.

What explains the wide earnings gap among Massachusetts biology graduates?

Salem State graduates earn $41,308 in early career salaries while Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates start at $27,181, creating a $14,127 difference. Location plays a key role, with Salem's proximity to Boston's biotech corridor offering more high-paying entry positions. Public universities generally produce competitive earners, with Framingham State and Bridgewater State graduates both exceeding $38,000 in starting salaries.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Massachusetts biology?

Elite schools maintain the highest completion rates, with Williams at 96.60% and Harvard at 97.30%, despite having the lowest net costs. Public universities cluster around 50-55% graduation rates regardless of their affordability. Eastern Nazarene College shows just 35.30% completion despite charging $17,733 net cost. The pattern suggests that selectivity and student preparation matter more than program price.

How accessible are Massachusetts biology programs for average students?

Most public universities accept over 80% of applicants, with Salem State reaching 92.66% acceptance and Fitchburg State at 86.06%. Private colleges vary dramatically, from Eastern Nazarene's 61.92% acceptance to Harvard's selective 3.24% rate. Students have realistic chances at quality programs like Worcester State (87.66% acceptance) or UMass-Lowell (85.95% acceptance). The state offers pathways for students across all academic levels.

Where do biology graduates find the best return on investment?

Salem State delivers the strongest financial outcome with $41,308 starting salaries against $18,441 in net costs and manageable $26,500 debt loads. Worcester State offers another solid choice with $37,568 earnings for just $14,738 in net expenses. Students should avoid programs with high debt relative to earnings, such as Eastern Nazarene's $27,000 average debt. Public universities consistently provide better debt-to-income ratios for biology majors.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.