College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $48-$75k) in California

55 Ranked Colleges
14,408 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

General Biology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 107,165 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, general biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,334 and had an average of $23,818 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 14,408 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,117 and $20,221 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 55 colleges that offer a degree in general biology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general biology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general biology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Biology 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 Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $48-$75k) 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 Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 114 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $7,081 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Read full report on General Biology at Stanford University

2

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 248 students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $13,423 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about General Biology at UC Berkeley

3

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k 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 biology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $12,644 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at University of California - Los Angeles

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 136 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,700 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Cal State LA General Biology Report

5

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #5 spot on the list. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 469 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $14,310 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full UCSD General Biology Report

6
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, California

Reedley College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Reedley, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 155 students in 2020-2021.

Full Reedley College General Biology Report

7

California State University - Fresno ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 152 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $8,030 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Fresno State General Biology Report

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 364 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $14,193 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Biology at University of California - Davis

9

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 377 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,583 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCSB.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Full UCSB General Biology Report

10

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 117 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $7,976 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

11

University of California - Riverside ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 624 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,126 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCR.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at University of California - Riverside

12
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #12, San Diego Mesa College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school awarded 121 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $8,272 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full San Diego Mesa College General Biology Report

13

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 278 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $12,602 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Read full report on General Biology at Sac State

14
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 309 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,698 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SDSU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full San Diego State University General Biology Report

15

California State University - Fullerton ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 189 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $9,017 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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.

Read full report on General Biology at Cal State Fullerton

16

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 257 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $11,189 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on General Biology at CSULB

17

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 126 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $9,854 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on General Biology at California State University - San Bernardino

18
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

San Diego City College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school awarded 107 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,322 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Diego City College.

Read more about General Biology at San Diego City College

19

University of California - Irvine ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 749 students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $13,275 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

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

20

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUB is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 95 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $9,102 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Biology at California State University - Bakersfield

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 118 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $6,333 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 California State University - Dominguez Hills General Biology Report

22

California State University - Northridge landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 324 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $10,780 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 General Biology at CSUN

23

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 204 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 General Biology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $15,567 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 full report on General Biology at UC Santa Cruz

24

California State University - East Bay ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 123 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Biology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $15,615 for california biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

25
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 402 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california biology students whose families make $48-$75k list, SFSU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $16,065 for California Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU General Biology Report

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