2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in California
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 140 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general chemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
For return on investment in general chemistry, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for general chemistry. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for general chemistry. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Irvine Valley College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general chemistry program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College placed #6 among the best values for general chemistry. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. 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 general chemistry graduates is $5,707. General Chemistry graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. 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, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton came in at #10 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $18,675. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $45,076. Set against $18,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Solano Community College placed #11 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Sacramento City College placed #12 among the best values for general chemistry. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Orange Coast College landed the #13 spot for general chemistry value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #15 position for value in general chemistry this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,553. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $40,402. That is a strong return on a $16,553 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District earned the #16 position for value in general chemistry this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Palomar College came in at #17 for value in general chemistry this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Diablo Valley College placed #18 among the best values for general chemistry. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
California State University Northridge landed the #19 spot for general chemistry value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $16,202. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $44,874. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #20 position for value in general chemistry this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $18,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $15,680. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Channel Islands came in at #22 for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $46,131. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Fullerton College earned the #23 position for value in general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
California State University San Marcos earned the #24 position for value in general chemistry this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $17,527. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $49,382. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Chemistry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general chemistry this year:
More General Chemistry Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 140 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
