2026 Best Value Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cell biology & anatomical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools
For return on investment in cell biology & anatomical sciences, 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. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the cell biology & anatomical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, cell biology & anatomical sciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Merced one of the best values for cell biology & anatomical sciences. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. 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 biology & anatomical sciences program here. Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for cell biology & anatomical sciences. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, cell biology & anatomical sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Riverside one of the best values for cell biology & anatomical sciences. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates is $17,861. Early-career cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates make about $31,148. That is a strong return on a $17,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the best values for cell biology & anatomical sciences. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, cell biology & anatomical sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $38,333. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for cell biology & anatomical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,848 to complete the cell biology & anatomical sciences program here. Early-career cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates make about $36,945. Set against $15,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #7 for value in cell biology & anatomical sciences this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the cell biology & anatomical sciences program here. Early-career cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates make about $56,951. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Davis came in at #8 for value in cell biology & anatomical sciences this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $37,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cell biology & anatomical sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cell biology & anatomical sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $45,088. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #10 position for value in cell biology & anatomical sciences 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 Biology & Anatomical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $38,304 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 ranking is produced 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 · 14 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.
[Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/cell-biology-anatomical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cell biology & anatomical sciences education at a price that pays off.
