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Most Popular General Biology Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular General Biology Schools in California

185 Colleges
$30,117 Avg Salary
$20,221 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best General Biology School for You

In 2020-2021, general biology students earned 14,026 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 7th in the state.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular General Biology Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 185 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the General Biology program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular General Biology Colleges.

Our analysis found University of California - Irvine to be the most popular school for general biology students who want to pursue a degree in California. UC Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine.

While working on their degree, biology majors at UC Irvine accumulate an average of around $16,297 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $223.

Full General Biology at University of California - Irvine Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Riverside. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular General Biology Schools in California list. UCR is a fairly large public school located in the city of Riverside.

After completing their degree, biology graduates from UCR carry an average student debt load of $19,930. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $161.

Full General Biology at University of California - Riverside Report

The excellent programs at University of California - Los Angeles helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best general biology schools in California. UCLA is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

On average, biology graduates from UCLA take out $15,201 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $236, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full General Biology at University of California - Los Angeles Report

Out of the 185 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, biology majors at UCSD accumulate an average of around $17,500 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $251, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on General Biology at University of California - San Diego

#5

Ventura College

Ventura, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ventura College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular General Biology Schools in California list. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura.

Read full report on General Biology at Ventura College

#6

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

With a ranking of #6, San Francisco State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for general biology students. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, biology majors at SFSU accumulate an average of around $17,500 in student debt.

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With a ranking of #7, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for general biology students. UCSB is a very large public school located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara.

Biology majors at UCSB take out an average of $17,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $265, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full General Biology at University of California - Santa Barbara Report

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Davis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for general biology students. UC Davis is a very large public school located in the small suburb of Davis.

While working on their degree, biology majors at UC Davis accumulate an average of around $13,165 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $284.

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University of California - Merced landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular general biology programs. Located in the rural area of Merced, UC Merced is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that biology majors at UC Merced take out is $19,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $210.

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With a ranking of #10, California State University - Northridge did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for general biology students. Located in the city of Northridge, CSUN is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that biology majors at CSUN take out is $16,259.

Read full report on General Biology at California State University - Northridge

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

With a ranking of #11, San Diego State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for general biology students. Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, biology graduates from SDSU take out $19,999 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $330.

Full General Biology at San Diego State University Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular General Biology Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that biology majors at Sac State take out is $16,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $121, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#13

Bakersfield College

Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular general biology programs. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield.

Full General Biology at Bakersfield College Report

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular General Biology Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Pomona, Cal Poly Pomona is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, biology majors at Cal Poly Pomona accumulate an average of around $18,500 in student debt.

Full General Biology at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Report

#14

Fresno City College

Fresno, CA

Fresno City College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular General Biology Schools in California list. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that biology majors at Fresno City College take out is $5,500.

Read More…

#16

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular General Biology Schools in California list. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a public college with a very large student population.

Read full report on General Biology at Long Beach City College

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for general biology students. CSULB is a fairly large public school located in the city of Long Beach.

On average, biology graduates from CSULB take out $12,475 in student loans while working on their degree.

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With a ranking of #18, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for general biology students. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Berkeley.

While working on their degree, biology majors at UC Berkeley accumulate an average of around $15,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $301.

Read full report on General Biology at University of California - Berkeley

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for general biology students. It came in at #19 on the list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo.

While working on their degree, biology majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accumulate an average of around $22,500 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $516.

Read full report on General Biology at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular General Biology Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, UC Santa Cruz is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, biology graduates from UC Santa Cruz take out $21,500 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $196.

Read full report on General Biology at University of California - Santa Cruz

#21

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular general biology programs. San Jose State is a fairly large public school located in the city of San Jose.

Read full report on General Biology at San Jose State University

With a ranking of #22, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for general biology students. Located in the large suburb of San Marcos, CSUSM is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that biology majors at CSUSM take out is $25,000.

Full General Biology at California State University - San Marcos Report

California State University - Fullerton landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular general biology programs. Cal State Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton.

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Clovis Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular general biology programs. Clovis Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Fresno.

Read full report on General Biology at Clovis Community College

#25

Reedley College

Reedley, CA

Reedley College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular general biology programs. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Biology majors at Reedley College take out an average of $5,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on General Biology at Reedley College

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for General Biology students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular General Biology Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
28 San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CA
29 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
30 Humboldt State University Arcata, CA
31 Yuba College Marysville, CA
31 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
33 University of the Pacific Stockton, CA
34 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
35 San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CA
36 Chabot College Hayward, CA
37 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA

Best General Biology Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular General Biology Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 1,675
Oregon 969
Nevada 561
Hawaii 253
Alaska 98

General Biology is one of 14 different types of programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Biology

Related Major Annual Graduates
Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology 14,535
Neurobiology & Neurosciences 11,615
Physiology & Pathology Sciences 8,813
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology 7,247
Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences 6,206

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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