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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Biology in the Far Western US Region

91 Ranked Colleges
17,964 Degrees Awarded
$11,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 107,165 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, general biology is the 5th most popular major in the United States. 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 the Far Western US region, there were 17,964 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,914 and $21,104 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 91 colleges that offered 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology in the Far Western US Region

1
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Reedley College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region. Reedley College is located in Reedley, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 155 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,892 for Far Western US Region Biology students per year to attend Reedley College.

Read full report on General Biology at Reedley College

2
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Francisco State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 402 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $14,459 for Far Western US Region Biology students per year to attend San Francisco State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU General Biology Report

3
San Diego Mesa College crest
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego Mesa College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 121 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $5,573 for far western us region biology students.

Read more about General Biology at San Diego Mesa College

4
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 309 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $13,845 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full San Diego State University General Biology Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 257 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,054 for Far Western US Region Biology students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

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%. 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 California State University - Long Beach General Biology Report

6
Heritage University crest
Heritage University
Toppenish, Washington

Heritage University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #6. Heritage University is located in Toppenish, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Heritage University is $6,850 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about General Biology at Heritage University

7

California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSUMB is a medium-sized school located in Seaside, California that handed out 111 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,597 for far western us region biology students per year to attend California State University - Monterey Bay.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUMB General Biology Report

8

California State University - Fresno came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. 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 California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for far western us region biology students.

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 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%.

Read full report on General Biology at California State University - Fresno

9
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

San Diego City College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Diego City College is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 107 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,723 for far western us region biology students per year to attend San Diego City College.

Read full report on General Biology at San Diego City College

10

California State University - Sacramento came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 278 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

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 full report on General Biology at California State University - Sacramento

11

California State University - Northridge landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 324 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

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 more about General Biology at California State University - Northridge

12
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 203 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best General Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $16,542 for Far Western US Region Biology students per year to attend San Jose State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at San Jose State

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

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

14
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Washington State University is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 276 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Wazzu also made our “Best General Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Washington State University is $15,300 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 General Biology at Wazzu

15

California State University - San Marcos came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 194 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,218 for far western us region biology students per year to attend CSUSM.

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%.

Read full report on General Biology at CSUSM

16

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #16. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 117 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,566 for Far Western US Region Biology students per year to attend Stan State.

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%.

Read more about General Biology at Stan State

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Channel Islands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSUCI is a medium-sized public school situated in Camarillo, California. It awarded 147 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $14,928 for far western us region biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 General Biology at CSUCI

18

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 272 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,304 for far western us region biology students per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Biology at Cal Poly Pomona

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Nevada - Reno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. University of Nevada - Reno is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 181 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNR is $14,930 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at University of Nevada - Reno

20

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 126 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for far western us region biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about General Biology at CSUSB

21

California State University - Chico landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $16,218 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 General Biology at Chico State

22

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school awarded 285 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNLV is $10,993 for far western us region biology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Nevada - Las Vegas General Biology Report

23

California State University - Fullerton came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 189 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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 full report on General Biology at California State University - Fullerton

24
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #24. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SSU is $17,563 for Far Western US Region Biology students.

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%.

Read more about General Biology at Sonoma State University

25

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 136 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for far western us region biology students.

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%.

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

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