2026 Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools in California
[Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates is $17,200. Early-career biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates make about $38,869. That is a strong return on a $17,200 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,730 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $50,428 early in their careers. Set against $16,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $46,689. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #5 place for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. 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, biophysics & molecular biology graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $45,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. 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, biophysics & molecular biology graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology 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. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $57,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Stanford University came in at #8 for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #9 among the best values for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates make about $26,380. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #10 for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates is $17,500. Early-career biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates make about $45,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #11 spot for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #13 among the best values for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology 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. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University placed #14 among the best values for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $15,675 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Set against $15,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #15 position for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology 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%.
Sonoma State University earned the #16 position for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Students borrow a median of $18,031 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #17 position for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $14,920 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $59,523. That is a strong return on a $14,920 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside placed #18 among the best values for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $30,077 early in their careers. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Davis placed #19 among the best values for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $11,208 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California State University Chico came in at #20 for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $42,886. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #21 for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Early-career biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates make about $57,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #22 position for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,959 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,320. That is a strong return on a $18,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Pomona College earned the #23 position for value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology this year. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Early-career biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology graduates make about $75,954. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of The Pacific ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology schools. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
California Lutheran University placed #25 among the best values for biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology. Located in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,145 to complete the biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology program here. Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $53,271 early in their careers. Set against $16,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Lutheran University admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology:
More Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Rankings
View All Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked 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 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.
