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

24 Colleges in the United States
2,349 General Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$55,253 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Chemistry degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general chemistry programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 140 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general chemistry students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Chemistry in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Chemistry

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general chemistry. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 53 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Get the full general chemistry details for Stanford University

2

Students looking for a strong general chemistry program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. Get the full general chemistry details for University Of Southern California

3

San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general chemistry, ranking #3. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 52 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general chemistry details for San Jose State University

4

University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general chemistry, ranking #4. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 207 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $83,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,172 to complete this degree. Read more about the general chemistry program at University Of California Berkeley

5

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general chemistry, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 27 general chemistry degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. General Chemistry graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $15,259 in student loans. Read more about the general chemistry program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 101 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $47,197 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,805 in student loans. See the full general chemistry program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

7

University Of California Davis landed the #7 spot for general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 88 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from University Of California Davis earn around $56,763 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. See the full general chemistry program report for University Of California Davis

8

University Of California Irvine came in at #8 for general chemistry this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 183 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $63,601 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,276 to complete this degree. Get the full general chemistry details for University Of California Irvine

9
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College came in at #9 for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Pomona College awarded about 10 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $75,954 in their early career. Read more about the general chemistry program at Pomona College

10

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 147 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $64,111 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,137. See the full general chemistry program report for University Of California Los Angeles

11
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University earned the #11 position for general chemistry this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 15 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Students borrow a median of $18,031 to complete this degree. Read more about the general chemistry program at Sonoma State University

12

California State University Fullerton landed the #12 spot for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 30 general chemistry degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $45,076 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,675. Get the full general chemistry details for California State University Fullerton

13

California State University Northridge landed the #13 spot for general chemistry this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 28 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from California State University Northridge earn around $44,874 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree. Read more about the general chemistry program at California State University Northridge

14

California State University East Bay placed #14 among the best general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University East Bay awarded about 21 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073. Read more about the general chemistry program at California State University East Bay

15
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA

Westmont College landed the #15 spot for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Westmont College graduates 70% of students within six years. Westmont College awarded about 10 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Westmont College generally make around $44,240. Typical student debt for the program is $23,773. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Westmont College

16
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 17 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full general chemistry details for University Of San Francisco

17

California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $50,553 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,680 in student loans. Read more about the general chemistry program at California State University Long Beach

18

University Of California San Diego earned the #18 position for general chemistry this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 163 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $69,229 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,100 to complete this degree. Get the full general chemistry details for University Of California San Diego

19

San Francisco State University placed #19 among the best general chemistry schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $44,140 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024. More information about a degree in general chemistry from San Francisco State University

20

California State University Los Angeles came in at #20 for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 33 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from California State University Los Angeles earn around $44,944 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full general chemistry details for California State University Los Angeles

21

San Diego State University landed the #21 spot for general chemistry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 62 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $43,603 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,499. Read more about the general chemistry program at San Diego State University

22

California State University San Marcos earned the #22 position for general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $49,382. Typical student debt for the program is $17,527. Get the full general chemistry details for California State University San Marcos

23

California Institute Of Technology came in at #23 for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $173,344 in their early career. Get the full general chemistry details for California Institute Of Technology

24

California State University Channel Islands placed #24 among the best general chemistry schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Channel Islands awarded about 22 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $46,131 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general chemistry from California State University Channel Islands

25

University Of California Merced came in at #25 for general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of California Merced awarded about 18 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $50,944. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general chemistry details for University Of California Merced

Rest of the Top 50 General Chemistry Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general chemistry education:

26
27
28
29
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
30
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
31
32
33
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
34
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
35
36
37
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
38
39
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA
40
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
41
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
42
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
43
44
45
46
47
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
48
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
49
50
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 140 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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