2026 Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in California

1

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

For return on investment in cell/cellular & molecular biology, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $17,101. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cell/cellular & molecular biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the cell/cellular & molecular biology program here. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for cell/cellular & molecular biology. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $16,539. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

4

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value cell/cellular & molecular biology schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $17,861. Early-career cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates make about $31,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cell/cellular & molecular biology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $15,848 in student loans. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $36,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #6 spot for cell/cellular & molecular biology value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $56,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

7

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #7 among the best values for cell/cellular & molecular biology. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical student debt for cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, cell/cellular & molecular biology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $45,088. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

8

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #8 for value in cell/cellular & molecular biology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Cell/cellular & Molecular Biology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $38,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.