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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Biotechnology Schools in the Far Western Region

10 Colleges in the United States
312 Biotechnology Degrees Awarded
$58,793 Avg Early-Career Salary

Biotechnology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their biotechnology programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for biotechnology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Biotechnology in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall biotechnology education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Biotechnology

1

University Of California Irvine is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in biotechnology. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 21 biotechnology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biotechnology degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. More information about a degree in biotechnology from University Of California Irvine

2

Students looking for a strong biotechnology program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 70 biotechnology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their biotechnology degree from University Of California Davis earn around $59,156 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,985. See the full biotechnology program report for University Of California Davis

3

A rank of #3 makes California State University Long Beach one of the top schools for biotechnology. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 10 biotechnology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biotechnology degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $50,982 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree. See the full biotechnology program report for California State University Long Beach

4
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biotechnology, ranking #4. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 biotechnology students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete this degree. See the full biotechnology program report for University Of San Francisco

5

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biotechnology, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 biotechnology students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biotechnology degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $60,697 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in biotechnology from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

6

California State University Channel Islands placed #6 among the best biotechnology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Camarillo. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 25 biotechnology degrees were awarded at California State University Channel Islands in the most recent year. Students who receive their biotechnology degree from California State University Channel Islands earn around $88,886 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,997. See the full biotechnology program report for California State University Channel Islands

7

California State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best biotechnology schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 biotechnology degrees were awarded at California State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Biotechnology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. See the full biotechnology program report for California State University San Marcos

8

University Of Southern California ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best biotechnology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 16 biotechnology degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. See the full biotechnology program report for University Of Southern California

9

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #9 for biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. About 20 biotechnology degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $47,768. University Of Nevada Reno graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Get the full biotechnology details for University Of Nevada Reno

10

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #10 among the best biotechnology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Honolulu. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Hawaii At Manoa awarded about 15 biotechnology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. More information about a degree in biotechnology from University Of Hawaii At Manoa

11

Portland Community College landed the #11 spot for biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 22 biotechnology students who graduated with this degree at Portland Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $49,580. Portland Community College graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. More information about a degree in biotechnology from Portland Community College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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