Best Biological Sciences Colleges in California (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 56 Biological Sciences programs in California by median earnings of Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing. University of the Pacific ranks 1st on this list and admits 71% of applicants.
Dominican University of California reports the highest figure at $75,913. Across the 43 schools with a published figure, median earnings range from $14,935 to $75,913, with a median of $60,014.
For 8 of the 56 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 55% of the list, with 31 public and 25 private nonprofit schools represented. California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price at $3,967, while Pomona College reports the highest six-year completion rate at 93%.
University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Biological Sciences Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA | No published median | $25,447 | $17,004 | 71.3% |
| University of the Pacific ranks 1st on this list and reports a six-year completion rate of 69%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (138 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (26 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA | No published median | $48,381 | $32,268 | 45.1% |
| Loyola Marymount University admits 45% of applicants and carries an average net price of $48,381. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (57 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($80,317) | |||||
| 3 | Dominican University of California · San Rafael, CA | $75,913 | $35,333 | $24,572 | 83.5% |
| Dominican University of California posts median earnings of $75,913 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (44 graduates) | |||||
| 4 | Westmont College · Santa Barbara, CA | $75,889 | $29,053 | $20,899 | 77.1% |
| Westmont College has an average net price of $20,899 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 1084th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (34 graduates) | |||||
| 5 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $75,796 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
| University of Southern California graduates 92% of its students within six years and admits 10% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Neurobiology and Neurosciences (121 graduates), Biology, General (68 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($89,203), Biology, General ($63,125), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($57,246) | |||||
| 6 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $74,400 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
| San Francisco State University, a public university in San Francisco, reports an average net price of $12,278. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (362 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($74,204) | |||||
| 7 | California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA | $74,317 | $9,320 | $6,360 | 97.4% |
| California State University-East Bay posts median earnings of $74,317 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing and ranks 67th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (185 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($74,010) | |||||
| 8 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $70,792 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
| An average net price of $6,230 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 55% are reported by California State University-San Marcos. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (196 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (35 graduates), Biotechnology (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biotechnology ($76,622), Biology, General ($70,789) | |||||
| 9 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | $70,478 | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
| University of California-Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and reports median earnings of $70,478 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (767 graduates), Biology, General (177 graduates), Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (44 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($79,163), Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences ($66,577) | |||||
| 10 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $70,017 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
| California State University-Chico ranks 91st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and graduates 63% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (87 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (25 graduates), Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Microbiological Sciences and Immunology ($74,888), Biology, General ($71,726) | |||||
| 11 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | $69,925 | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
| University of San Diego reports median earnings of $69,925 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $30,365. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Neurobiology and Neurosciences (100 graduates), Biology, General (65 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($83,380), Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($72,910), Biology, General ($59,950) | |||||
| 12 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $69,850 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
| San Diego State University admits 36% of applicants and carries an average net price of $9,910 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (285 graduates), Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($68,861) | |||||
| 13 | University of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA | $69,440 | $41,431 | $31,537 | 61.7% |
| University of San Francisco reports median earnings of $69,440 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $41,431. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (104 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($69,440) | |||||
| 14 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | No published median | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranks 14th on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 86% alongside an admission rate of 31%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (160 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (39 graduates), Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($78,097), Biology, General ($69,854) | |||||
| 15 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $68,170 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
| With an average net price of $6,555, California State University-Fullerton ranks 6th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (237 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (67 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($68,170) | |||||
| 16 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $68,018 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
| University of California-San Diego admits 27% of applicants and its Biological Sciences graduates earn a median of $68,018 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (769 graduates), Biology, General (322 graduates), Neurobiology and Neurosciences (179 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology ($123,320), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($72,491), Biology, General ($64,437) | |||||
| 17 | University of California-Davis · Davis, CA | No published median | $14,741 | $9,211 | 41.8% |
| A six-year completion rate of 86% and an admission rate of 42% accompany University of California-Davis's rank of 18th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Neurobiology and Neurosciences (519 graduates), Biology, General (418 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (222 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biotechnology ($87,406), Genetics ($77,411), Microbiological Sciences and Immunology ($74,343) | |||||
| 18 | University of Redlands · Redlands, CA | $66,639 | $30,031 | $28,287 | 82.7% |
| Median earnings of $66,639 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing coincide with an average net price of $28,287 for families earning under $30,000 at University of Redlands. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($66,639) | |||||
| 19 | University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA | No published median | $16,109 | $9,231 | 33.0% |
| An average net price of $16,109 and a six-year completion rate of 83% are reported by University of California-Santa Barbara, which ranks 19th on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (384 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (74 graduates), Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (63 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($90,694), Biology, General ($64,520), Zoology/Animal Biology ($53,727) | |||||
| 20 | University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA | $66,014 | $17,890 | $8,717 | 65.8% |
| Graduates of University of California-Santa Cruz's Biological Sciences program earn a median of $66,014 four years after completing, and the school admits 66% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (237 graduates), Biology, General (184 graduates), Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (124 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($88,305), Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences ($69,849), Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($69,027) | |||||
| 21 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $64,510 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
| Ranking 5th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, California State University-Long Beach shows an average net price of $7,183 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (284 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (66 graduates), Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (48 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($79,820), Microbiological Sciences and Immunology ($73,988), Biology, General ($61,492) | |||||
| 22 | Chapman University · Orange, CA | $64,461 | $46,555 | $33,559 | 65.4% |
| A six-year completion rate of 82% and median earnings of $64,461 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing are posted by Chapman University. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (39 graduates), Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (24 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($64,461) | |||||
| 23 | University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $63,859 | $12,548 | $5,579 | 9.0% |
| University of California-Los Angeles admits 9% of applicants and reports median earnings of $63,859 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (413 graduates), Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (235 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (222 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($73,506), Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences ($72,443), Microbiological Sciences and Immunology ($65,024) | |||||
| 24 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $63,422 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ranks 15th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $11,531. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (243 graduates), Biotechnology (43 graduates), Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biotechnology ($73,152), Biology, General ($61,688) | |||||
| 25 | Concordia University-Irvine · Irvine, CA | No published median | $28,115 | $25,431 | 66.0% |
| Concordia University-Irvine ranks 25th on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 58%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (30 graduates) | |||||
| 26 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $62,384 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
| A public university in Camarillo, California State University-Channel Islands reports median earnings of $62,384 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (103 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($62,384) | |||||
| 27 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $62,319 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
| California State University-Sacramento admits 94% of applicants and carries an average net price of $9,338. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (294 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (35 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($61,775) | |||||
| 28 | Biola University · La Mirada, CA | $60,014 | $31,495 | $27,144 | 74.4% |
| With an average net price of $27,144 for families earning under $30,000, Biola University reports median earnings of $60,014 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (54 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($60,014) | |||||
| 29 | Occidental College · Los Angeles, CA | $59,985 | $38,263 | $20,705 | 44.2% |
| Occidental College ranks 1039th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and graduates 81% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (40 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($59,985) | |||||
| 30 | University of California-Merced · Merced, CA | $59,249 | $11,983 | $7,945 | 90.5% |
| University of California-Merced reports median earnings of $59,249 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 69%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (316 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($59,249) | |||||
| 31 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $59,229 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
| California State University-Stanislaus carries an average net price of $6,067 and ranks 83rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (83 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($59,229) | |||||
| 32 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | $58,897 | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% |
| A private nonprofit university in La Verne, University of La Verne admits 71% of applicants and reports median earnings of $58,897 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($58,897) | |||||
| 33 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | $58,820 | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
| University of California-Riverside ranks 31st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts a six-year completion rate of 76%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (639 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (151 graduates), Neurobiology and Neurosciences (136 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences ($65,813), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($59,549), Biology, General ($58,339) | |||||
| 34 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | $58,585 | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% |
| California Baptist University reports median earnings of $58,585 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing and carries an average net price of $22,298 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (76 graduates), Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (27 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($52,118) | |||||
| 35 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $58,152 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
| Holding the lowest average net price on the page at $3,967, California State University-Los Angeles ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (123 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (43 graduates), Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($67,441), Biology, General ($53,908) | |||||
| 36 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | No published median | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
| California State University-Northridge carries an average net price of $4,905 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 7th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (289 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($59,100) | |||||
| 37 | California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks, CA | No published median | $30,109 | $22,161 | 75.7% |
| A six-year completion rate of 70% and an admission rate of 76% are reported by California Lutheran University, a private nonprofit university in Thousand Oaks. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (59 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($64,939) | |||||
| 38 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $56,799 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
| California State University-San Bernardino reports median earnings of $56,799 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $4,564. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (106 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($56,799) | |||||
| 39 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $56,345 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
| With an admission rate of 93%, Sonoma State University ranks 199th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (86 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($56,345) | |||||
| 40 | California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA | $55,654 | $13,663 | $9,970 | 97.4% |
| California State University-Monterey Bay posts a six-year completion rate of 59% and median earnings of $55,654 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (122 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($55,654) | |||||
| 41 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $55,447 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
| An average net price of $3,536 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a six-year completion rate of 50% at California State University-Bakersfield. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (80 graduates), Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other (49 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (12 graduates) | |||||
| 42 | Point Loma Nazarene University · San Diego, CA | No published median | $38,729 | $30,999 | 83.7% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University, a private nonprofit institution in San Diego, admits 84% of applicants and reports an average net price of $38,729. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (40 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($65,365) | |||||
| 43 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $54,405 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills reports median earnings of $54,405 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing and ranks 46th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (88 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($54,405) | |||||
| 44 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | No published median | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
| Ranking 12th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, University of California-Irvine admits 29% of applicants and graduates 87% within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (668 graduates), Neurobiology and Neurosciences (60 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($56,273) | |||||
| 45 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $49,178 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt reports median earnings of $49,178 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $8,483 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (97 graduates), Botany/Plant Biology (37 graduates), Zoology/Animal Biology (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($55,707), Botany/Plant Biology ($42,743), Zoology/Animal Biology ($38,495) | |||||
| 46 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | No published median | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
| An average net price of $7,000 is reported by California State University-Fresno, which ranks 26th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (157 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biology, General ($50,728) | |||||
| 47 | Saint Mary's College of California · Moraga, CA | $41,565 | $30,378 | $19,462 | 86.5% |
| Saint Mary's College of California reports median earnings of $41,565 for its Biological Sciences graduates two years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 70%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (44 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (13 graduates) | |||||
| 48 | Pomona College · Claremont, CA | No published median | $19,285 | $4,841 | 7.1% |
| With an admission rate of 7%, Pomona College reports an average net price of $4,841 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 93%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (18 graduates), Neurobiology and Neurosciences (18 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (17 graduates) | |||||
| 49 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $35,060 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 84.6% |
| San Jose State University admits 85% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 69%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (182 graduates), Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (13 graduates) | |||||
| 50 | Santa Clara University · Santa Clara, CA | $34,154 | $50,062 | $22,985 | 48.0% |
| Santa Clara University, a private nonprofit university in Santa Clara, shows median earnings of $34,154 for its Biological Sciences graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (81 graduates), Neurobiology and Neurosciences (39 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (13 graduates) | |||||
| 51 | Azusa Pacific University · Azusa, CA | $33,281 | $22,212 | $15,781 | 88.4% |
| Azusa Pacific University posts an average net price of $22,212 and ranks 481st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (22 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (10 graduates) | |||||
| 52 | Mount Saint Mary's University · Los Angeles, CA | $33,268 | $21,413 | $23,849 | 73.1% |
| Mount Saint Mary's University graduates 53% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $33,268 for its Biological Sciences graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (6 graduates), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (5 graduates) | |||||
| 53 | Stanford University · Stanford, CA | $25,194 | $13,807 | -$2,536* | 3.6% |
| With an admission rate of 4%, Stanford University is the most selective school on this list and ranks 28th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (62 graduates) | |||||
| 54 | La Sierra University · Riverside, CA | $22,771 | $45,566 | $44,988 | 91.5% |
| La Sierra University reports an average net price of $44,988 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 60%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (9 graduates), Neurobiology and Neurosciences (8 graduates) | |||||
| 55 | Pepperdine University · Malibu, CA | No published median | $58,098 | $50,560 | 62.9% |
| Pepperdine University posts an average net price of $58,098 and graduates 83% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (63 graduates) | |||||
| 56 | Whittier College · Whittier, CA | $14,935 | $25,757 | $21,718 | 80.8% |
| Whittier College ranks 56th on this list, with median earnings of $14,935 for its Biological Sciences graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biology, General (31 graduates) | |||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Biological Sciences earnings cohort in California appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 8 of the 56 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 43 schools with a published figure. Median earnings span from $14,935 to $75,913, a spread of $60,978 across the list.
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