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Cheapest Biology Colleges in North Carolina

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

Elizabeth City State University offers the state's most affordable biology program at just $7,237 net cost, yet graduates from other programs like UNC Greensboro earn $32,514 annually. This $5,277 earning difference highlights how program choice affects both college costs and career outcomes. North Carolina's Research Triangle region employs thousands of biology graduates across pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and Duke University's medical research facilities. The 15 most affordable programs range from $7,237 to $16,487, with public universities dominating the lower cost brackets. UNC Chapel Hill achieves a remarkable 92.10% graduation rate while maintaining relatively low debt at $15,000. However, acceptance rates vary dramatically, from Chapel Hill's competitive 17.11% to UNC Pembroke's accessible 89.74%. Private institutions like Shaw University and Livingstone College appear among affordable options but carry higher debt loads. Western Carolina University combines reasonable costs with a solid 59.10% graduation rate, while Appalachian State delivers strong earnings potential at $31,890 despite higher net costs.
50
Programs
$7,237 – $41,048
Net Price Range
$27,996
Avg. Program Earnings
52.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
2 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
3 $9,918 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
4 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
5 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
6 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
7 $12,865 $7,461 55.0% 74.3%
8 $12,983 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
9 $13,393 $6,735 48.6% 73.4%
10 $14,083 $17,176 20.2% 61.0%
11 $14,745 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
12 $15,028 $6,542 46.0% 84.4%
13 $15,662 $18,296 27.1% 63.8%
14 $16,189 $27,110 28.5% 86.7%
15 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
16 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
17 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
18 $17,740 $16,896 33.2% 58.9%
19 $17,893 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
20 $18,127 $60,300 91.9% 17.0%
21 $18,165 $35,536 40.4% 68.4%
22 $18,210 $33,400 52.1% 67.1%
23 $18,835 $32,236 56.3% 87.5%
24 $19,314 $20,400 40.8% 84.3%
25 $19,472 $7,317 70.7% 68.8%
26 $20,011 $20,480 34.1% 25.3%
27 $20,197 $43,936 65.0% 73.2%
28 $20,313 $37,270 41.9% 74.2%
29 $21,200 $41,140 47.7% 83.5%
30 $21,371 $40,196 46.8% 86.2%
31 $21,376 $31,250 39.0% 39.9%
32 $21,728 $33,150 44.3% 63.2%
33 $21,953 $33,930 42.6% 69.1%
34 $22,858 $19,140 20.6% 44.6%
35 $23,393 $30,900 51.0% 82.9%
36 $23,613 $19,500 46.4% 97.2%
37 $23,665 $35,600 51.5% 94.6%
38 $23,719 $40,290 43.2% 84.0%
39 $23,991 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
40 $24,137 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
41 $24,978 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
42 $25,765 $31,140 44.2% 61.3%
43 $25,876 $17,280 42.6% 63.3%
44 $26,328 $33,860 40.6% 68.1%
45 $27,786 $43,285 65.9% 71.3%
46 $28,746 $64,758 90.9% 21.4%
47 $33,756 $30,800 27.1% 64.8%
48 $34,454 $65,805 95.8% 6.4%
49 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
50 $41,048 $44,536 83.0% 74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Elizabeth City State University the most affordable option for biology students?

Elizabeth City State University charges just $7,237 in net costs with an in-state tuition of only $3,412. The university maintains a 74.15% acceptance rate and graduates earn $29,141 annually. With a 48.10% graduation rate, students complete their biology degrees at significantly lower costs than most alternatives in North Carolina.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable biology programs?

UNC Chapel Hill leads with an strong 92.10% graduation rate, while Appalachian State follows at 73.10%. However, some affordable options struggle with completion, as Shaw University graduates only 20.20% of students and Chowan University reaches 28.50%. These differences suggest that lower costs don't always translate to better outcomes.

Is UNC Chapel Hill worth the higher costs compared to other affordable options?

UNC Chapel Hill costs $12,983 annually but delivers the state's top biology program with a 92.10% graduation rate and low debt at $15,000. Graduates earn $27,855, which ranks middle among these programs. The highly selective 17.11% acceptance rate means most students won't qualify, making other options necessary for many applicants.

Does attending a private college for biology provide better value in North Carolina?

Private colleges generally offer poor value for biology students in this price range. Shaw University graduates earn no reported income data despite $14,083 costs, while Livingstone College graduates earn just $25,194 with $34,500 in debt. Chowan University produces the lowest earnings at $24,615 with $27,000 debt, making public universities clearly superior options.

Where do biology graduates from these affordable programs typically find employment?

North Carolina's Research Triangle provides numerous opportunities at companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Biogen, and Cisco Systems. Charlotte's banking sector also hires biology graduates for analytical roles, while the state's growing healthcare industry offers laboratory and clinical positions. Graduates earning $32,514 from UNC Greensboro often secure higher-paying research positions compared to those from other affordable programs.

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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.