College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Biology Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California

55 Ranked Colleges
14,031 Degrees Awarded
$7,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 95,999 biology studies students received their degree, making the major the 6th most popular in the country.

Across California, there were 14,031 biology studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 55 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in biology studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great biology studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the biology studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Biological Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Biology Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 101 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,233 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stanford.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Stanford Biology Studies Report

2

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 248 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,450 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Berkeley Biology Studies Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 532 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at University of California - Los Angeles

4

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #4 spot on the list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 438 students in 2020-2021.

UCSD also took the #4 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at UCSD

5

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $1,887 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at California State University - Los Angeles

6

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 377 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at UCSB

7
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 309 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full San Diego State University Biology Studies Report

8

California State University - Fresno came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 152 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,859 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fresno State.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at California State University - Fresno

9

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 117 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,122 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Stan State Biology Studies Report

10

California State University - Fullerton ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 189 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Biology Studies Report

11

University of California - Davis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 364 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $10,006 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at University of California - Davis

12

University of California - Riverside ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 618 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $6,810 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCR Biology Studies Report

13

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 278 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sac State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,163 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Biology Studies Report

14

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 257 diplomas to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,663 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSULB.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at CSULB

15
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #15, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school handed out 121 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $4,672 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Biology Studies at San Diego Mesa College

16
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, California

With a ranking of #16, Reedley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Reedley College is a medium-sized school located in Reedley, California that handed out 155 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,843 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Reedley College.

Full Reedley College Biology Studies Report

17

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 749 students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,540 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Biology Studies at University of California - Irvine

18

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 126 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $5,985 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Biology Studies at California State University - San Bernardino

19

California State University - Northridge landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 324 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $6,266 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at CSUN

20
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #20, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 395 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $10,705 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at San Francisco State University

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 118 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUDH Biology Studies Report

22

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $5,238 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full CSUB Biology Studies Report

23

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 128 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,038 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Biology Studies Report

24
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 72 diplomas to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, USC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,287 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Southern California.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at USC

25

With a ranking of #25, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 223 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for california biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options