2026 Best General Chemistry Schools in the Far Western Region
General Chemistry degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 184 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general chemistry students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for General Chemistry in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general chemistry education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in General Chemistry
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for general chemistry. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general chemistry from Stanford University
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general chemistry, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $75,677 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
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San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 207 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $83,865 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,172 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for general chemistry. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 general chemistry degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $61,010 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,259 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Santa Barbara placed #6 among the best general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 101 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $47,197 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,805 in student loans.
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University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 88 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $56,763 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans.
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University Of California Irvine landed the #8 spot for general chemistry this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 183 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $63,601. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $13,276 in student loans.
See the full general chemistry program report for University Of California Irvine
Pomona College landed the #9 spot for general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 10 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954.
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University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for general chemistry this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 147 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $64,111 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,137 to complete this degree.
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Sonoma State University came in at #11 for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Sonoma State University awarded about 15 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,031.
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University Of Portland came in at #12 for general chemistry this year. University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. University Of Portland graduates 80% of students within six years. University Of Portland awarded about 11 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from University Of Portland earn around $54,739 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,900.
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California State University Fullerton came in at #13 for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $45,076 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,675 to complete this degree.
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California State University Northridge ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 28 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,874 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans.
See the full general chemistry program report for California State University Northridge
California State University East Bay landed the #15 spot for general chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 21 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from California State University East Bay earn around $58,951 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073.
More information about a degree in general chemistry from California State University East Bay
Westmont College earned the #16 position for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Westmont College awarded about 10 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $44,240 in their early career. Westmont College graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans.
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University Of San Francisco placed #17 among the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $65,223 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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California State University Long Beach ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 43 general chemistry degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $50,553 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,680 in student loans.
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Western Washington University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 49 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $48,527. Typical student debt for the program is $22,104.
More information about a degree in general chemistry from Western Washington University
University Of California San Diego earned the #20 position for general chemistry this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 163 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $69,229 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,100 to complete this degree.
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San Francisco State University placed #21 among the best general chemistry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $44,140 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024.
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California State University Los Angeles came in at #22 for general chemistry this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 33 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general chemistry program report for California State University Los Angeles
San Diego State University placed #23 among the best general chemistry schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,499.
More information about a degree in general chemistry from San Diego State University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #24 for general chemistry this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 17 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans.
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California State University San Marcos ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $49,382. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general chemistry from California State University San Marcos
Rest of the Top 50 General Chemistry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general chemistry education:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 184 schools evaluated.
- 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.
