2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in California
[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biotechnology schools.
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2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biotechnology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biotechnology Schools
California State University Long Beach earned the #1 spot for value among biotechnology schools in California. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Channel Islands earned it the #2 place for biotechnology. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $16,997. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $88,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Marcos earned it the #3 place for biotechnology. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $49,615. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $18,500. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $60,697. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Davis landed the #6 spot for biotechnology value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $11,985 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $59,156. Set against $11,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #7 position for value in biotechnology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $15,625. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
University Of San Francisco landed the #8 spot for biotechnology value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $23,935. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
