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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Biotechnology Schools in California

7 Colleges in the United States
255 Biotechnology Degrees Awarded
$62,649 Avg Early-Career Salary

Biotechnology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best biotechnology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Biotechnology in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall biotechnology education in California.

Top Schools in Biotechnology

1

Our analysis ranked University Of California Irvine the best school in the country for a degree in biotechnology. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biotechnology from University Of California Irvine

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Davis one of the top schools for biotechnology. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 70 biotechnology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Biotechnology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $59,156 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $11,985 in student loans. Read more about the biotechnology program at University Of California Davis

3

California State University Long Beach is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biotechnology, ranking #3. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 10 biotechnology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biotechnology program make about $50,982 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree. Get the full biotechnology details for California State University Long Beach

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

University Of San Francisco came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best biotechnology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 70% of students finish within six years. University Of San Francisco awarded about 28 biotechnology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biotechnology degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $65,223 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. Get the full biotechnology details for University Of San Francisco

5

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 34 biotechnology degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $60,697. 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. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. California State University Channel Islands awarded about 25 biotechnology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biotechnology program make about $88,886 in their early career. California State University Channel Islands graduates carry a median of $16,997 in student loans. Read more about the biotechnology program at California State University Channel Islands

7

California State University San Marcos placed #7 among the best biotechnology schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 51 biotechnology degrees were awarded at California State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $49,615. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. 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. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 biotechnology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in biotechnology from University Of Southern California

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 17 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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