2026 Best Value Medicine Schools in California

1

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for medicine in California. 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. Medicine graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career medicine graduates make about $67,163. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the medicine program here. Medicine graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $79,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $16,539. Medicine graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $71,598 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

4

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

Students looking for strong value in medicine will find it at University Of California Riverside, which ranked #4. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the medicine program here. Soon after graduation, medicine degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $67,270. 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 came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value medicine schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Medicine graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Medicine graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $74,916 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #6 spot for medicine value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Medicine graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career medicine graduates make about $72,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #7 among the best values for medicine. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for medicine graduates is $15,625. Early-career medicine graduates make about $75,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.