2026 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biotechnology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biotechnology Schools
California State University Long Beach earned the #1 spot for value among biotechnology schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the biotechnology program here. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Channel Islands one of the best values for biotechnology. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $16,997. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $88,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University San Marcos one of the best values for biotechnology. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $18,500. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $49,615. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Portland Community College one of the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $20,648. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $49,580. That is a strong return on a $20,648 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #5. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $18,500. Biotechnology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $60,697 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #6 spot for biotechnology value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #7 spot for biotechnology value this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $20,577. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #8 position for value in biotechnology this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. 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 $11,985 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $59,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,985 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #9 for value in biotechnology this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $47,768. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California landed the #10 spot for biotechnology value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for biotechnology graduates is $15,625. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biotechnology education at a price that pays off.
