Cheapest Genetics Colleges

New Mexico State University offers genetics students an strong value at just $6,747 net cost, making quality science education accessible to students nationwide. The gap between the most affordable option and pricier alternatives reaches over $16,000, with schools like University of Wisconsin-Madison charging $16,928 despite strong outcomes. Public universities dominate this field, reflecting genetics programs' research infrastructure needs and state funding priorities. California alone places three institutions on this affordable list, including UC Irvine at $12,840 and UCLA at $14,013, both offering top-tier genetics research opportunities. The Southwest and Mountain West regions have emerged as genetics employment hubs, with biotechnology companies and agricultural research facilities creating demand for graduates. Earnings data shows genetics majors typically start around $29,000 to $37,000, with UC Davis graduates earning $36,717 within six years. Graduation rates vary significantly, from Western Kentucky's 53.7% to UCLA's impressive 92.7%, suggesting program rigor and student support levels differ substantially across institutions.

Programs

$6,747 – $37,454

Net Price Range

$33,091

Avg. Program Earnings

74.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Genetics Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, New Mexico	$6,747	$8,147	52.2%	78.1%
2	Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, Kentucky	$10,916	$11,436	53.7%	97.0%
3	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
4	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
5	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
6	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
7	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
8	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
9	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644	$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
10	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
11	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
12	University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama	$17,727	$8,832	62.4%	86.7%
13	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
14	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
15	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	$20,751	$15,988	82.2%	88.0%
16	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
17	Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, Ohio	$21,619	$52,357	61.7%	52.2%
18	Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina	$22,112	$15,554	87.9%	43.0%
19	Cedar Crest College Allentown, Pennsylvania	$22,909	$44,934	58.2%	84.3%
20	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, New Hampshire	$23,261	$19,112	76.4%	87.0%
21	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$23,519	$17,239	85.0%	66.3%
22	Northwestern College Orange City, Iowa	$23,519	$35,300	63.6%	87.3%
23	Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,219	$22,082	74.7%	79.7%
24	University of New Haven West Haven, Connecticut	$34,089	$45,730	59.2%	91.2%
25	Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida	$35,300	$44,360	65.5%	64.4%
26	George Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	$37,454	$64,990	85.2%	49.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes New Mexico State University the most affordable genetics program?

New Mexico State University charges just $6,747 in net costs, nearly $4,000 less than the second cheapest option at Western Kentucky University. The school maintains low in-state tuition at $8,147 while offering substantial financial aid packages. Despite the affordable price point, the program maintains a 78% acceptance rate and 52.2% graduation rate.

How do California's public universities compare for genetics affordability?

Three University of California schools make the affordable list, with UC Irvine at $12,840, UCLA at $14,013, and UC Davis at $15,288. All three maintain relatively low in-state costs between $13,747 and $15,247. UC Davis graduates earn $36,717 within six years, while UCLA boasts a 92.7% graduation rate despite its 8.57% acceptance rate.

Is there a significant earnings difference between the cheapest and mid-range programs?

Yes, earnings vary substantially across affordable genetics programs. UC Davis graduates earn $36,717 compared to University of Georgia graduates at $29,593, a difference of over $7,000 annually. Washington State University graduates earn $34,704 despite the school's lower graduation rate of 61.6%. Iowa State graduates start at $30,047 with moderate debt levels of $21,631.

Does program selectivity correlate with affordability in genetics?

Selectivity varies dramatically among affordable genetics programs, from UCLA's competitive 8.57% acceptance rate to Western Kentucky's open 96.95% rate. University of California schools maintain lower acceptance rates despite affordable pricing, with UC Irvine accepting just 21.15% of applicants. Public funding allows these selective California schools to keep costs reasonable while maintaining rigorous admission standards.

Where do genetics graduates find the best value considering debt and earnings?

UC Davis offers excellent value with $36,717 starting earnings and only $13,848 in average debt. Purdue graduates carry $15,000 in debt with strong career prospects in the Midwest biotech corridor. University of Georgia graduates earn $29,593 with $17,375 in debt, while North Carolina State graduates face higher debt at $22,250 despite lower program costs.

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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.