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2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
For return on investment in biology studies, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $7,611. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #2 place for biology studies. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $15,731. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Reedley College one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego City College earned it the #4 place for biology studies. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #5 place for biology studies. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
ADBLOCK #101
College Of San Mateo landed the #6 spot for biology studies value this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College placed #7 among the best values for biology studies. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #8 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Fresno City College landed the #11 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $22,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #12 spot for biology studies value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #13 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
West Valley College placed #14 among the best values for biology studies. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $14,308. Biology Studies graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $5,707. Biology Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Golden West College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #18 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $43,075. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #19 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Ventura College landed the #20 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,043 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $31,479. That is a strong return on a $16,043 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Fullerton earned the #24 position for value in biology studies this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $67,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Mission College placed #25 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,223. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
Narrow Biology Studies Schools by State
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
