by our College Data Analytics TeamChemistry programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their chemistry programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 140 schools to find the best for chemistry students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall chemistry education in California.
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for chemistry. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 53 chemistry degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $100,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Read more about the chemistry program at Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for chemistry. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemistry from University Of Southern California
San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the chemistry program at San Jose State University
University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 207 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $83,865 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,172. Get the full chemistry details for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong chemistry program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #5. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $15,259 in student loans. Read more about the chemistry program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #6 among the best chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 106 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $47,197. Students borrow a median of $15,805 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of California Davis placed #7 among the best chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 114 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $56,763 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Read more about the chemistry program at University Of California Davis
University Of California Irvine landed the #8 spot for chemistry this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 186 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $63,601 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,276 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for University Of California Irvine
Pomona College landed the #9 spot for chemistry this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pomona College awarded about 10 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. See the full chemistry program report for Pomona College
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #10 for chemistry this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 167 chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $64,111 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,137 to complete this degree. Get the full chemistry details for University Of California Los Angeles
Sonoma State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 15 chemistry degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $51,140 in their early career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. See the full chemistry program report for Sonoma State University
California State University Fullerton ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. About 30 chemistry degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $45,076. Students borrow a median of $18,675 to complete this degree. Get the full chemistry details for California State University Fullerton
California State University Northridge ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 28 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,874. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for California State University Northridge
California State University East Bay placed #14 among the best chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 21 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemistry from California State University East Bay
Westmont College placed #15 among the best chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit university. Westmont College graduates 70% of students within six years. Westmont College awarded about 10 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of Westmont College earn a median of $44,240 early in their careers. Westmont College graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans. See the full chemistry program report for Westmont College
University Of San Francisco placed #16 among the best chemistry schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $65,223 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for University Of San Francisco
California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,553 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,680 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for California State University Long Beach
University Of California San Diego came in at #18 for chemistry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 251 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $69,229. Typical student debt for the program is $16,100. Read more about the chemistry program at University Of California San Diego
San Francisco State University came in at #19 for chemistry this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 chemistry students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $44,140. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024. Get the full chemistry details for San Francisco State University
California State University Los Angeles came in at #20 for 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. About 33 chemistry degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $44,944 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. See the full chemistry program report for California State University Los Angeles
California Baptist University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverside. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 21 chemistry degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the chemistry program make about $51,999 in their early career. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. More information about a degree in chemistry from California Baptist University
San Diego State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 62 chemistry degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemistry degree from San Diego State University earn around $43,603 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $17,499 in student loans. Get the full chemistry details for San Diego State University
California State University San Marcos ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. California State University San Marcos awarded about 15 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $49,382 early in their careers. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Read more about the chemistry program at California State University San Marcos
California Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best chemistry schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 50 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Chemistry graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Get the full chemistry details for California Institute Of Technology
California State University Channel Islands ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best chemistry schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. California State University Channel Islands awarded about 22 chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $46,131. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in chemistry from California State University Channel Islands
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s chemistry ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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.
