2026 Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools in California. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in neurobiology & neurosciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $32,081. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $21,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for neurobiology & neurosciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $17,149 in student loans. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

5

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Riverside earned it the #5 place for neurobiology & neurosciences. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,803 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $19,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $29,765. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

8

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $25,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

9

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College placed #9 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,420. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $39,967 early in their careers. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

10

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Claremont Mckenna College landed the #10 spot for neurobiology & neurosciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,980. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $12,000. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of Claremont Mckenna College earn a median of $66,028 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

11

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego placed #11 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $33,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

12

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #12 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $38,063. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

13

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College landed the #13 spot for neurobiology & neurosciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,950. Median earnings reach $77,539 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 38%.

14

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University came in at #14 for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $79,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.