Best Biology Programs in California (2026)
Biology programs in California are often the gateway to medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and biomedical research. The schools below are ranked by Biology program strength, MCAT/GRE prep support, and net price.
#1
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$28,849/yr
Median Earnings
$104,736
Grad Rate
93%
Biology Share
9.0%
#2
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$35,924/yr
Median Earnings
$138,687
Grad Rate
93%
Biology Share
7.7%
#3
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$16,075/yr
Median Earnings
$128,566
Grad Rate
94%
Biology Share
5.1%
#4
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$12,470/yr
Median Earnings
$84,943
Grad Rate
87%
Biology Share
20.6%
#5
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$13,481/yr
Median Earnings
$92,446
Grad Rate
93%
Biology Share
10.2%
#6
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$12,548/yr
Median Earnings
$82,511
Grad Rate
93%
Biology Share
16.3%
#7
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,741/yr
Median Earnings
$80,838
Grad Rate
85%
Biology Share
18.8%
#8
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$14,251/yr
Median Earnings
$80,735
Grad Rate
86%
Biology Share
11.6%
#9
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$16,665/yr
Median Earnings
$90,768
Grad Rate
86%
Biology Share
4.1%
#10
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Net Price
$16,109/yr
Median Earnings
$74,915
Grad Rate
84%
Biology Share
11.1%
#11
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
Net Price
$35,333/yr
Median Earnings
$84,713
Grad Rate
77%
Biology Share
8.1%
#12
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$14,304/yr
Median Earnings
$67,699
Grad Rate
76%
Biology Share
17.0%
#13
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$48,381/yr
Median Earnings
$78,349
Grad Rate
79%
Biology Share
4.2%
#14
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$17,890/yr
Median Earnings
$68,396
Grad Rate
75%
Biology Share
14.9%
#15
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,555/yr
Median Earnings
$70,070
Grad Rate
81%
Biology Share
4.2%
#16
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA
Net Price
$30,109/yr
Median Earnings
$68,712
Grad Rate
72%
Biology Share
8.3%
#17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$11,531/yr
Median Earnings
$71,902
Grad Rate
68%
Biology Share
4.2%
#18
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$45,566/yr
Median Earnings
$61,824
Grad Rate
64%
Biology Share
11.5%
#19
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$10,440/yr
Median Earnings
$64,403
Grad Rate
69%
Biology Share
5.5%
#20
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$6,555/yr
Median Earnings
$62,951
Grad Rate
70%
Biology Share
3.1%
#21
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Net Price
$20,161/yr
Median Earnings
$65,464
Grad Rate
64%
Biology Share
5.0%
#22
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$35,558/yr
Median Earnings
$83,438
Grad Rate
37%
Biology Share
10.7%
#23
Concordia University-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$28,115/yr
Median Earnings
$65,083
Grad Rate
60%
Biology Share
5.6%
#24
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$26,285/yr
Median Earnings
$61,504
Grad Rate
61%
Biology Share
7.6%
#25
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Net Price
$31,495/yr
Median Earnings
$56,778
Grad Rate
68%
Biology Share
5.2%
Why a Biology degree?
Biology is the standard pre-med major. Research opportunities and pre-health advising at the undergraduate level meaningfully affect medical school admission rates.
Common career paths: Pre-Med (with med school) · Biomedical Researcher · Genetic Counselor · Pharmaceutical Scientist · Public Health Specialist
Typical starting salary range: $50,000–$85,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
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