2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among biological & physical science schools in California. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $17,075. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,945 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $25,221. That is a strong return on a $8,945 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,785 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $19,521. Set against $7,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $23,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons placed #7 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,776. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #9 for value in biological & physical science this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Golden West College came in at #10 for value in biological & physical science this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #11 for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College placed #12 among the best values for biological & physical science. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Canada College landed the #13 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #14 for value in biological & physical science this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #15 among the best values for biological & physical science. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College came in at #16 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College came in at #17 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $20,108. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #18 for value in biological & physical science this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College earned the #19 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $26,780. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #20 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #21 for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College landed the #22 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $12,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $31,415. Set against $12,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College landed the #24 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Gavilan College earned the #25 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biological & physical science value ranking:
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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical science education at a price that pays off.
