2026 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biochemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biochemistry Schools
For return on investment in biochemistry, no school beat California State University Fullerton 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $17,200. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $38,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,200 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $16,730 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $50,428. That is a strong return on a $16,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for biochemistry. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $15,886. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $36,841. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $45,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento placed #6 among the best values for biochemistry. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $16,500. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $46,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos placed #7 among the best values for biochemistry. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $57,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #8 position for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $26,380. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #11 position for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $45,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #12 for value in biochemistry this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $42,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay landed the #13 spot for biochemistry value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $14,814. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $38,985. That is a strong return on a $14,814 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University placed #15 among the best values for biochemistry. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,675 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $50,955. Set against $15,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #16 among the best values for biochemistry. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,814 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $38,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,814 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #18 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $9,500. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $49,100. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Sonoma State University placed #19 among the best values for biochemistry. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $18,031. Biochemistry graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #20 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $14,920 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $59,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $17,250. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $30,077. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #22 for value in biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $32,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Portland State University earned the #23 position for value in biochemistry this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $40,230. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,208 to complete the biochemistry program here. Biochemistry graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Washington State University earned the #25 position for value in biochemistry this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $46,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Biochemistry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biochemistry:
Narrow Biochemistry Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
[Biochemistry](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biochemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biochemistry education at a price that pays off.
