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Stanford University delivers the most surprising value in Human Biology education, with a net cost of just $12,136 despite its $62,484 sticker price. This places one of the nation's top research universities within reach of students who qualify for substantial aid packages. The contrast becomes stark when examining the full range of options: CUNY Hunter College offers the absolute lowest cost at $2,446, while programs extend up to $22,403 annually. Human Biology graduates across these programs earn between $28,598 and $34,526, reflecting the field's solid foundation for healthcare careers. The West Coast dominates this affordable market, with California public universities like UC Irvine and UCLA providing strong value through their extensive research facilities and proximity to biotech employers. This regional advantage proves significant as California hosts over 3,000 biotechnology companies, creating direct pathways from classroom to career for Human Biology graduates.
36
Programs
$2,446 – $38,802
Net Price Range
$30,664
Avg. Program Earnings
70.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

36 Human Biology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
3 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
4 $12,820 $27,150 70.0% 55.7%
5 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
6 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
7 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
8 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
9 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
10 $14,986 $23,340 59.4% 64.6%
11 $15,729 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
12 $17,365 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
13 $18,161 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
14 $18,467 $28,360 48.8% 80.1%
15 $18,486 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
16 $18,748 $36,136 55.8% 76.1%
17 $20,579 $24,888 70.9% 45.1%
18 $21,385 $48,311 57.7% 80.6%
19 $21,931 $17,450 43.0% 77.9%
20 $22,403 $32,200 29.0% 61.1%
21 $22,500 $33,900 59.4% 91.8%
22 $23,335 $33,890 44.1% 81.9%
23 $24,362 $37,230 69.6% 72.1%
24 $25,299 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
25 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
26 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
27 $26,572 $68,230 95.9% 5.1%
28 $27,151 $40,150 70.4% 81.1%
29 $27,384 $64,150 95.2% 10.4%
30 $29,794 $12,015 100.0%
31 $30,525 $52,284 75.2% 77.0%
32 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%
33 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
34 $32,337 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
35 $33,596 $31,920 75.5% 91.6%
36 $38,802 $63,434 87.1% 27.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Stanford's surprisingly low net cost for Human Biology students?

Stanford's $12,136 net cost reflects their generous financial aid program, which dramatically reduces the $62,484 sticker price for qualifying students. This makes Stanford more affordable than many state schools on this list. The university's substantial endowment allows them to provide need-based aid that can cover most or all tuition costs. Students from families earning under certain income thresholds often pay nothing for tuition.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Human Biology?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger graduation rates, with Stanford at 92.8% and UCLA at 92.7% leading the pack. However, CUNY Hunter College breaks this pattern, maintaining a solid 61% graduation rate despite its $2,446 net cost. Mid-range programs like University of Wisconsin-Green Bay show 53.1% completion rates. The correlation suggests that institutional resources do impact student success, but affordable options can still deliver results.

Is the earnings range of $28,598 to $34,526 competitive for recent graduates?

These earnings represent starting salaries for Human Biology graduates, which typically serve as stepping stones to advanced healthcare careers. University of Kansas graduates earn $28,598, while Stanford graduates start at $34,526, showing a $6,000 spread across programs. These figures reflect entry-level positions in research labs, healthcare administration, or pre-professional track roles. Most Human Biology graduates pursue additional education in medicine, dentistry, or graduate programs.

Does geographic location significantly impact Human Biology program value?

California schools dominate the affordable options, with UC Irvine at $12,840 and UCLA at $14,013 offering strong value. The state's biotech industry provides extensive internship and job opportunities that improve program value beyond tuition costs. East Coast options like CUNY Hunter College offer the lowest overall costs but may have different career pathways. Regional job markets heavily influence post-graduation opportunities and starting salaries.

Where do acceptance rates create the best admission opportunities?

Michigan Technological University offers the highest acceptance rate at 93.68% with reasonable costs at $15,729 net price. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay accepts 89.62% of applicants for just $12,878 annually. These contrast sharply with Stanford's 3.68% acceptance rate and Johns Hopkins' 7.25% rate. Students seeking guaranteed admission with quality programs should focus on schools with acceptance rates above 80%.

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