2026 Best Value Genetics Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in genetics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Genetics Schools
Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among genetics schools in California. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #2 place for genetics. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the genetics program here. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #3 place for genetics. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $14,293. Soon after graduation, genetics degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $41,334. Set against $14,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Southern California University Of Health Sciences one of the best values for genetics. Set in the suburb of Whittier, Southern California University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,390. Typical student debt for genetics graduates is $20,378. Early-career genetics graduates make about $48,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
[Genetics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/genetics/) 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.
