2026 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in California

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in biochemistry in California. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $17,200 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $38,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in biochemistry will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $16,730. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $50,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

4

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Students looking for strong value in biochemistry will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $16,202. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $45,453 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

5

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Students looking for strong value in biochemistry will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $16,500. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $46,689. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $36,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos landed the #7 spot for biochemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $57,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

8

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #8 among the best values for biochemistry. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $26,380. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

9

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #9 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $10,492. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

10

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield landed the #10 spot for biochemistry value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

11

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $45,066. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

12

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #12 spot for biochemistry value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #13 spot for biochemistry value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $16,539. Biochemistry graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $42,200 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

14

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #14 position for value in biochemistry this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $15,675 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Set against $15,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

15

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #15 spot for biochemistry value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $49,100. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.

16

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #16 among the best values for biochemistry. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $18,031. Biochemistry graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,031 median debt. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.

17

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #17 spot for biochemistry value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $17,250. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $30,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

18

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #18 spot for biochemistry value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $14,920 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $59,523. That is a strong return on a $14,920 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $11,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

20

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $42,886. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

21

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #21 spot for biochemistry value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $57,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,000. Biochemistry graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.

23

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Students borrow a median of $16,145 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $53,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

24

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,803. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Set against $25,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego came in at #25 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $48,728. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.