2026 Best Value Pathology/Experimental Pathology Schools in California

[Pathology/Experimental Pathology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/pathology-experimental-pathology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for pathology/experimental pathology students.
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2026 Best Value Pathology/Experimental Pathology Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pathology/experimental pathology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pathology/Experimental Pathology Schools
University Of California Irvine tops our 2026 list of the best value pathology/experimental pathology schools in California. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the pathology/experimental pathology program here. Soon after graduation, pathology/experimental pathology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value pathology/experimental pathology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pathology/experimental pathology graduates is $17,049. Soon after graduation, pathology/experimental pathology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $17,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value pathology/experimental pathology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for pathology/experimental pathology graduates is $14,598. Soon after graduation, pathology/experimental pathology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $37,550. Set against $14,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Southern California is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pathology/experimental pathology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pathology/experimental pathology graduates is $15,625. Early-career pathology/experimental pathology graduates make about $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
More Pathology/Experimental Pathology Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.