Cheapest Biomathematics Colleges in California

California State University-San Bernardino offers the state's most affordable computational biology program at just $5,918 net cost, while Harvey Mudd College charges $32,492 for similar training. This $26,574 gap reflects California's split between accessible public education and elite private institutions. The state's biotech corridor, anchored by companies like Genentech and Illumina, creates strong demand for graduates who can bridge biology and data science. UC San Diego stands out with its 87.60% graduation rate and direct pipeline to La Jolla's biotech cluster, where computational biologists earn around $71,015 starting salaries.

Programs

$5,918 – $38,802

Net Price Range

$71,015

Avg. Program Earnings

78.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, California	$5,918	$7,675	54.7%	91.1%
2	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
3	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
4	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
5	University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California	$16,607	$14,560	74.5%	46.9%
6	Pacific Union College Angwin, California	$20,979	$35,214	51.5%	48.5%
7	La Sierra University Riverside, California	$26,217	$35,910	68.1%	91.9%
8	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California	$31,927	$68,237	92.0%	12.0%
9	Harvey Mudd College Claremont, California	$32,492	$66,255	93.8%	13.4%
10	Scripps College Claremont, California	$38,802	$63,434	87.1%	27.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-San Bernardino so affordable for biomathematics students?

CSU San Bernardino's $5,918 net cost stems from California's solid Cal Grant program and the CSU system's commitment to accessibility. The school maintains a 91.08% acceptance rate, making it highly accessible to students seeking computational biology training without the financial burden of private institutions.

How do UC schools compare in computational biology program costs?

UC San Diego costs $11,750 net with an 87.60% graduation rate, while UCLA charges $14,013 net but accepts only 8.57% of applicants. UC Irvine falls between at $12,840 net cost with a 21.15% acceptance rate, offering strong value in California's competitive market.

Is the $71,015 starting salary typical for computational biology graduates?

This salary reflects California's high-paying biotech sector, where companies like Illumina and Genentech compete for talent. The figure represents UC San Diego data, suggesting graduates entering the La Jolla biotech corridor earn competitive wages that offset the state's high living costs.

Does Harvey Mudd College justify its $32,492 net cost for computational biology?

Harvey Mudd's 93.80% graduation rate ranks highest among California programs, reflecting its intensive STEM focus. The college's Claremont location provides access to both Los Angeles biotech companies and academic research partnerships, though students pay significantly more than UC alternatives.

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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.