Cheapest Human Biology Colleges in California

Stanford's Human Biology program costs students just $12,136 after aid despite its $62,484 sticker price, making it California's most affordable option for this major. The $26,666 gap between Stanford and the next cheapest public option at UC Irvine reflects how generous private aid can reshape college costs. With California's biotech sector employing over 280,000 workers across companies like Genentech and Amgen, these programs prepare students for a growing field where graduates earn between $26,817 and $34,526 annually.

Programs

$12,136 – $38,802

Net Price Range

$31,423

Avg. Program Earnings

89.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Human Biology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Stanford University Stanford, California	$12,136	$62,484	92.8%	3.7%
2	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
3	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
4	Claremont McKenna College Claremont, California	$27,384	$64,150	95.2%	10.4%
5	Pitzer College Claremont, California	$31,663	$62,692	83.2%	18.4%
6	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California	$31,927	$68,237	92.0%	12.0%
7	Scripps College Claremont, California	$38,802	$63,434	87.1%	27.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Stanford be cheaper than public universities for Human Biology?

Stanford's need-based aid reduces costs to $12,136 for qualifying students, while UC Irvine's net price reaches $12,840 despite lower in-state tuition. Private colleges often provide more generous financial aid packages that can make them more affordable than public options for middle and lower-income families.

What salary can Human Biology graduates expect in California?

Early career earnings range from $26,817 at USC to $34,526 at Stanford, reflecting both institutional differences and California's competitive job market. The state's biotech and pharmaceutical industries offer strong employment prospects, though high living costs in areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles affect real purchasing power.

Is graduation rate connected to program cost in Human Biology?

The data shows mixed patterns, with Stanford achieving 92.8% graduation rates at the lowest net cost, while Pitzer College graduates 83.2% of students despite charging $31,663 after aid. Claremont McKenna leads with 95.2% graduation rates but costs $27,384 annually.

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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.