Cheapest Zoology/Animal Biology Colleges in California

California's zoology programs show a dramatic $20,541 cost gap between public and private options. Cal Poly Pomona leads affordability at $11,580 net cost, while UC San Diego combines low costs with an 87.6% graduation rate. California's marine sanctuaries, zoos, and wildlife research centers create strong demand for animal biology graduates, particularly around San Francisco Bay and coastal regions where marine biology opportunities flourish.

Programs

$11,580 – $32,121

Net Price Range

$23,370

Avg. Program Earnings

69.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

9 Zoology/Animal Biology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
2	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
3	San Francisco State University San Francisco, California	$12,882	$7,424	50.1%	94.2%
4	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, California	$13,167	$7,913	46.6%	98.2%
5	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
6	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
7	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$13,825	$14,965	85.3%	25.9%
8	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
9	The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, California	$32,121	$36,930	63.7%	78.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings gap between Cal Poly Humboldt and San Francisco State graduates?

Humboldt graduates earn $16,345 annually compared to San Francisco State's $33,077, a difference of over $16,700. Location plays a major role, as San Francisco's higher cost of living drives up salaries, while Humboldt's rural setting offers fewer high-paying positions.

How do UC admission rates compare for zoology programs?

UC San Diego accepts just 23.71% of applicants while UC Riverside admits 68.69%, showing significant variation across the UC system. Both schools charge similar net costs around $13,000, making UC Riverside the more accessible option for competitive students.

Is it worth paying private tuition for zoology at Master's University?

Master's University costs $32,121 compared to public options under $16,000, nearly double the expense. With a 63.7% graduation rate falling between public schools that range from 46.6% to 87.6%, the premium may not justify the cost difference.

More Zoology/Animal Biology Rankings

Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology in California Zoology/Animal Biology Under $20,000 in California

All Zoology/Animal Biology Programs Best Colleges in California Best Zoology/Animal Biology in California

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