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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in California

16 Colleges in the United States
$11,231 Avg Student Debt
$42,728 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Badge [Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 110 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools

1
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

For return on investment in biological & physical sciences, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

2
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

A rank of #2 makes Skyline College one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

3
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

4
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #4 place for biological & physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,945. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $25,221. Set against $8,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. 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. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,785 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $19,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,785 median debt.

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6

Imperial Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,176. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $23,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.

7
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons landed the #7 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

San Diego City College earned the #8 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Irvine Valley College came in at #9 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #10 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College placed #11 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.

12
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College earned the #12 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

13
Canada College crest
Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College earned the #13 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

College Of The Sequoias came in at #14 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College landed the #15 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.

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Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College placed #16 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences 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.

17
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College earned the #17 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $20,108 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Pasadena City College came in at #18 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College came in at #19 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $26,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Santiago Canyon College earned the #20 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

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Mt San Antonio College landed the #21 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,384. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College landed the #22 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,324 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $31,415. That is a strong return on a $12,324 median debt.

23
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College earned the #23 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,729. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.

25
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Gavilan College landed the #25 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for biological & physical sciences this year:

26
Taft College crest
Taft College
Taft, CA
27
28
29
30
31
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
32
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
33
Porterville College crest
Porterville College
Porterville, CA
34
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
35
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
36
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
37
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
38
39
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
40
41
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA
42
43
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
44
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
45
Cosumnes River College crest
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA
46
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA
47
Cuyamaca College crest
Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CA
48
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
49
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 110 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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