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.
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#1
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$14,794/yr
Median Earnings
$96,197
Grad Rate
86%
Biology Share
19.5%
#2
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$14,538/yr
Median Earnings
$100,212
Grad Rate
93%
Biology Share
9.2%
#3
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$14,659/yr
Median Earnings
$88,581
Grad Rate
93%
Biology Share
16.9%
#4
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$8,509/yr
Median Earnings
$166,642
Grad Rate
92%
Biology Share
8.0%
#5
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$39,347/yr
Median Earnings
$164,248
Grad Rate
93%
Biology Share
5.7%
#6
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$26,039/yr
Median Earnings
$127,532
Grad Rate
91%
Biology Share
7.0%
#7
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,318/yr
Median Earnings
$86,999
Grad Rate
86%
Biology Share
18.1%
#8
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$18,832/yr
Median Earnings
$96,304
Grad Rate
86%
Biology Share
4.6%
#9
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$13,866/yr
Median Earnings
$83,432
Grad Rate
87%
Biology Share
12.0%
#10
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Net Price
$16,807/yr
Median Earnings
$82,568
Grad Rate
83%
Biology Share
10.2%
#11
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
Net Price
$35,567/yr
Median Earnings
$90,053
Grad Rate
75%
Biology Share
10.1%
#12
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$12,672/yr
Median Earnings
$72,974
Grad Rate
76%
Biology Share
18.9%
#13
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$50,518/yr
Median Earnings
$86,034
Grad Rate
79%
Biology Share
4.5%
#14
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,708/yr
Median Earnings
$80,694
Grad Rate
82%
Biology Share
3.8%
#15
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$18,549/yr
Median Earnings
$73,362
Grad Rate
74%
Biology Share
14.1%
#16
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA
Net Price
$26,445/yr
Median Earnings
$77,620
Grad Rate
69%
Biology Share
8.9%
#17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$9,404/yr
Median Earnings
$77,464
Grad Rate
68%
Biology Share
4.7%
#18
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$9,426/yr
Median Earnings
$69,554
Grad Rate
70%
Biology Share
5.1%
#19
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Net Price
$20,523/yr
Median Earnings
$74,115
Grad Rate
62%
Biology Share
5.9%
#20
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$5,115/yr
Median Earnings
$69,015
Grad Rate
69%
Biology Share
3.5%
#21
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Net Price
$32,530/yr
Median Earnings
$64,126
Grad Rate
68%
Biology Share
4.8%
#22
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$24,138/yr
Median Earnings
$67,633
Grad Rate
61%
Biology Share
6.3%
#23
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$27,235/yr
Median Earnings
$78,572
Grad Rate
55%
Biology Share
2.5%
#24
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$22,767/yr
Median Earnings
$65,403
Grad Rate
56%
Biology Share
11.2%
#25
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA
Net Price
$22,597/yr
Median Earnings
$71,595
Grad Rate
62%
Biology Share
1.3%
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
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
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