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2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

55 Ranked Colleges
14,031 Degrees Awarded
$7,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Biology Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 6th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 95,999 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 55 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in biology studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent biology studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the biology studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Biology Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 101 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $1,581 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.

Full Stanford University Biology Studies Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 248 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $9,999 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 96%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at UC Berkeley

3

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 532 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,891 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full UCLA Biology Studies Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $2,701 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at Cal State LA

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 438 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also took the #4 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $11,176 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 - San Diego

6

California State University - Fresno came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 152 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,655 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fresno State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - Fresno Biology Studies Report

7

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 117 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,903 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at California State University - Stanislaus

8
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, California

With a ranking of #8, Reedley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Reedley, California, and it awarded 155 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Reedley College is $6,936 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Reedley College

9

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 377 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,606 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Biology Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara

10
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #10, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego State University 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 also took the #8 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,274 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SDSU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Biology Studies at San Diego State University

11

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 618 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full University of California - Riverside Biology Studies Report

12

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 278 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $9,055 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k 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%.

Read more about Biology Studies at California State University - Sacramento

13
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

San Diego Mesa College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. San Diego Mesa College is a fairly large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 121 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Mesa College is $5,543 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full San Diego Mesa College Biology Studies Report

14

California State University - Fullerton ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 189 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $5,821 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Cal State Fullerton Biology Studies Report

14

University of California - Davis ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 364 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $11,598 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 UC Davis

16

California State University - Long Beach ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 257 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $7,573 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 89%.

Read more about Biology Studies at CSULB

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 118 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,329 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUDH.

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%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at California State University - Dominguez Hills

18

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 CSUB is $6,046 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Biology Studies at CSUB

19

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 126 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at CSUSB

20

California State University - Northridge came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 324 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,103 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUN.

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%.

Full CSUN Biology Studies Report

21
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #21, San Diego City College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 107 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego City College is $5,815 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Biology Studies at San Diego City College

22

University of California - Irvine ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 749 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Irvine Biology Studies Report

23

California State University - East Bay came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 123 diplomas to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay also took the #24 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,025 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State East Bay.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at California State University - East Bay

24

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 128 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,049 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Biology Studies at University of California - Santa Cruz

25
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 395 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $11,862 for california biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Francisco State University.

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 SFSU

25

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 272 students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for California Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Cal Poly Pomona

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References

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