Biology at California State University-Los Angeles

Cal State LA's biology program stands out for one thing above all: affordability. With just $13,000 in median debt—roughly half the state median and barely 5% of the national distribution—this is one of the least expensive routes to a biology degree in California. That matters enormously for the 66% of students here on Pell grants. The first-year earnings of $33,304 sit right at national and state medians, which means graduates start in a typical position for biology majors without the typical debt burden.

The tradeoff becomes apparent when looking at the state rankings. While this program performs at the 56th percentile nationally, it falls to the 40th percentile within California, where schools like USD ($54,223) and Cal State East Bay ($44,370) deliver substantially higher earnings. However, the 32% earnings growth to year four shows graduates gaining ground, reaching $43,809—respectable momentum even if not matching the state's top performers.

For families focused on minimizing educational debt while accessing a major research hub like Los Angeles, this program delivers solid value. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 means graduates owe less than five months' salary, making this degree manageable even on modest starting salaries. It's not the pathway to the highest-earning biology careers, but it's a financially sensible foundation for students planning graduate school or who need to enter the workforce with minimal debt obligations.