2026 Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Schools in California
[Molecular Biochemistry](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/molecular-biochemistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value molecular biochemistry schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in molecular biochemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Schools
For return on investment in molecular biochemistry, no school beat University Of California Los Angeles this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for molecular biochemistry graduates is $14,920. Soon after graduation, molecular biochemistry degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $59,523. That is a strong return on a $14,920 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #2 place for molecular biochemistry. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $11,208 to complete the molecular biochemistry program here. Early-career molecular biochemistry graduates make about $42,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the best values for molecular biochemistry. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Molecular Biochemistry graduates carry a median of $18,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, molecular biochemistry degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,320. Set against $18,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
More Molecular Biochemistry Rankings
View All Molecular Biochemistry Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
