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# Best Biological Sciences Colleges in California (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Neuroscience](/rankings/best-neuroscience-programs-in-california/)

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](/school/university-of-the-pacific/majors/) 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

56 schools in list order

| 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](/school/university-of-the-pacific/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports a [six-year completion rate of 69%](/school/university-of-the-pacific/outcomes/). |
|  | 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](/school/loyola-marymount-university/majors/) [admits 45% of applicants](/school/loyola-marymount-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-southern-california/majors/) [graduates 92% of its students within six years](/school/university-of-southern-california/outcomes/) 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](/school/san-francisco-state-university/majors/), a public university in San Francisco, reports an [average net price of $12,278](/school/san-francisco-state-university/cost/). |
|  | 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](/school/california-state-university-east-bay/majors/) posts [median earnings of $74,317](/school/california-state-university-east-bay/outcomes/) 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](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 55% are reported by [California State University-San Marcos](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/majors/). |
|  | 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](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) [admits 11% of applicants](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/admissions/) 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](/school/california-state-university-chico/majors/) [ranks 91st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-chico/) 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](/school/university-of-san-diego/majors/) reports [median earnings of $69,925](/school/university-of-san-diego/outcomes/) 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](/school/san-diego-state-university/majors/) [admits 36% of applicants](/school/san-diego-state-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-san-francisco/majors/) reports [median earnings of $69,440](/school/university-of-san-francisco/outcomes/) 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](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/majors/) ranks 14th on this list and posts a [six-year completion rate of 86%](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/outcomes/) 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,](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/cost/) [California State University-Fullerton](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/majors/) 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](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/majors/) [admits 27% of applicants](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/admissions/) 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%](/school/university-of-california-davis/outcomes/) and an admission rate of 42% accompany [University of California-Davis](/school/university-of-california-davis/majors/)'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](/school/university-of-redlands/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 at [University of Redlands](/school/university-of-redlands/majors/). |
|  | 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](/school/university-of-california-santa-barbara/cost/) and a six-year completion rate of 83% are reported by [University of California-Santa Barbara](/school/university-of-california-santa-barbara/majors/), 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](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/majors/)'s Biological Sciences program earn a [median of $66,014](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/outcomes/) 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](/school/california-state-university-long-beach/majors/) shows an [average net price of $7,183](/school/california-state-university-long-beach/cost/) 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%](/school/chapman-university/outcomes/) and median earnings of $64,461 for its Biological Sciences graduates four years after completing are posted by [Chapman University](/school/chapman-university/majors/). |
|  | 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](/school/university-of-california-los-angeles/majors/) [admits 9% of applicants](/school/university-of-california-los-angeles/admissions/) 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](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/majors/) [ranks 15th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/) 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](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/majors/) reports [median earnings of $62,384](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/outcomes/) 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](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/majors/) [admits 94% of applicants](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/admissions/) 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](/school/biola-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, [Biola University](/school/biola-university/majors/) 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](/school/university-of-california-merced/majors/) reports [median earnings of $59,249](/school/university-of-california-merced/outcomes/) 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](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/majors/) carries an [average net price of $6,067](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-la-verne/majors/) [admits 71% of applicants](/school/university-of-la-verne/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-california-riverside/majors/) [ranks 31st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-california-riverside/) 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](/school/california-baptist-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $58,585](/school/california-baptist-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/majors/) [ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/) 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](/school/california-state-university-northridge/majors/) carries an [average net price of $4,905](/school/california-state-university-northridge/cost/) 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%](/school/california-lutheran-university/outcomes/) and an admission rate of 76% are reported by [California Lutheran University](/school/california-lutheran-university/majors/), 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](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/majors/) reports [median earnings of $56,799](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/outcomes/) 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%](/school/sonoma-state-university/admissions/), [Sonoma State University](/school/sonoma-state-university/majors/) 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](/school/california-state-university-monterey-bay/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 59%](/school/california-state-university-monterey-bay/outcomes/) 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](/school/california-state-university-bakersfield/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a six-year completion rate of 50% at [California State University-Bakersfield](/school/california-state-university-bakersfield/majors/). |
|  | 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](/school/point-loma-nazarene-university/majors/), a private nonprofit institution in San Diego, [admits 84% of applicants](/school/point-loma-nazarene-university/admissions/) 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](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/majors/) reports [median earnings of $54,405](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-california-irvine/majors/) [admits 29% of applicants](/school/university-of-california-irvine/admissions/) 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](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/majors/) reports [median earnings of $49,178](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/outcomes/) 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](/school/california-state-university-fresno/cost/) is reported by [California State University-Fresno](/school/california-state-university-fresno/majors/), 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%](/school/pomona-college/admissions/), [Pomona College](/school/pomona-college/majors/) 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](/school/san-jose-state-university/majors/) [admits 85% of applicants](/school/san-jose-state-university/admissions/) 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](/school/santa-clara-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Santa Clara, shows [median earnings of $34,154](/school/santa-clara-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/azusa-pacific-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $22,212](/school/azusa-pacific-university/cost/) 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](/school/mount-saint-marys-university/majors/) [graduates 53% of its students within six years](/school/mount-saint-marys-university/outcomes/) 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%](/school/stanford-university/admissions/), [Stanford University](/school/stanford-university/majors/) 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](/school/pepperdine-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $58,098](/school/pepperdine-university/cost/) 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.

## Related rankings

-   Biological Sciences Colleges
-   [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Biological Sciences Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-biological-sciences-colleges-in-texas/)
-   [Best Biological Sciences Colleges in Puerto Rico](/rankings/best-biological-sciences-colleges-in-puerto-rico/)
-   Biological Sciences Colleges in Alabama
-   Biological Sciences Colleges in Arkansas
-   Biological Sciences Colleges in California for Social Mobility