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2026 Best Biochemistry Schools in California

25 Colleges in the United States
1,037 Biochemistry Degrees Awarded
$49,399 Avg Early-Career Salary

Biochemistry degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for biochemistry students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Biochemistry in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall biochemistry education in California.

Top Schools in Biochemistry

1

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in biochemistry. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school 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 27 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biochemistry program make about $49,100 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. More information about a degree in biochemistry from University Of California Santa Barbara

2

San Francisco State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biochemistry, ranking #2. 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 41 biochemistry students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biochemistry degree from San Francisco State University earn around $50,955 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,675 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biochemistry from San Francisco State University

3

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 188 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biochemistry degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $59,523 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,920 to complete this degree. Get the full biochemistry details for University Of California Los Angeles

4

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. 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 29 biochemistry students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biochemistry degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $57,538 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Get the full biochemistry details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

5

A rank of #5 makes California State University San Marcos one of the top schools for biochemistry. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 23 biochemistry degrees were awarded at California State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Students who receive their biochemistry degree from California State University San Marcos earn around $57,682 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete this degree. See the full biochemistry program report for California State University San Marcos

6

University Of California San Diego ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best biochemistry schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 174 biochemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $45,066. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the biochemistry program at University Of California San Diego

7
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University landed the #7 spot for biochemistry this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 biochemistry students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biochemistry program make about $79,380 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biochemistry from Santa Clara University

8

University Of Southern California earned the #8 position for biochemistry this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 40 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Biochemistry graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $34,468 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $3,750. Get the full biochemistry details for University Of Southern California

9

California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for biochemistry this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 21 biochemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $46,689. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. See the full biochemistry program report for California State University Sacramento

10

California State University Fullerton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best biochemistry schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 54 biochemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $38,869 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $17,200 in student loans. See the full biochemistry program report for California State University Fullerton

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

Sonoma State University landed the #11 spot for biochemistry this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 biochemistry students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Typical student debt for the program is $18,031. Get the full biochemistry details for Sonoma State University

12

California State University East Bay earned the #12 position for biochemistry this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 10 biochemistry degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Biochemistry graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete this degree. Get the full biochemistry details for California State University East Bay

13

California State University Long Beach placed #13 among the best biochemistry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 61 biochemistry degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $36,841. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. More information about a degree in biochemistry from California State University Long Beach

14

Loyola Marymount University landed the #14 spot for biochemistry this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 16 biochemistry degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Biochemistry graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. More information about a degree in biochemistry from Loyola Marymount University

15

Chapman University placed #15 among the best biochemistry schools. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 biochemistry students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Biochemistry graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. Read more about the biochemistry program at Chapman University

16

California Lutheran University came in at #16 for biochemistry this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 biochemistry students who graduated with this degree at California Lutheran University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $53,271. Typical student debt for the program is $16,145. See the full biochemistry program report for California Lutheran University

17

California State University Northridge placed #17 among the best biochemistry schools. 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 22 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biochemistry degree from California State University Northridge earn around $45,453 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. See the full biochemistry program report for California State University Northridge

18

University Of The Pacific earned the #18 position for biochemistry this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of The Pacific awarded about 24 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biochemistry program make about $77,022 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full biochemistry program report for University Of The Pacific

19

Saint Marys College Of California ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best biochemistry schools. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 13 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Biochemistry graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. See the full biochemistry program report for Saint Marys College Of California

20

California State University Chico placed #20 among the best biochemistry schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 17 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biochemistry degree from California State University Chico earn around $42,886 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. See the full biochemistry program report for California State University Chico

21

University Of San Diego landed the #21 spot for biochemistry this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of San Diego awarded about 12 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Biochemistry graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $48,728 early in their careers. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Read more about the biochemistry program at University Of San Diego

22

University Of California Riverside placed #22 among the best biochemistry schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. About 111 biochemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Biochemistry graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $30,077 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,250. See the full biochemistry program report for University Of California Riverside

23

California State University Los Angeles came in at #23 for biochemistry this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. About 25 biochemistry degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the biochemistry program make about $50,428 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,730. Get the full biochemistry details for California State University Los Angeles

24

California State University Fresno placed #24 among the best biochemistry schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 34 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Biochemistry graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,380 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree. See the full biochemistry program report for California State University Fresno

25

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best biochemistry schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 16 biochemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biochemistry degree from California State University Dominguez Hills earn around $52,683 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,886. Read more about the biochemistry program at California State University Dominguez Hills

Rest of the Top 27 Biochemistry Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biochemistry ranking:

26
27

View All Biochemistry Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 46 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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