2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
23
Ranked Colleges
3,316
Degrees Awarded
$10,000
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 21,239 people earned their degree in chemistry, making the major the 51st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, chemistry graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,656 and had an average of $22,680 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 3,316 chemistry graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,709 and $17,837 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in chemistry. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent chemistry programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the chemistry program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Chemistry Schools
The chemistry school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Chemistry (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 58 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $1,581 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on Chemistry at Stanford
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k list, Caltech has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,190 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Caltech.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full California Institute of Technology Chemistry Report
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 170 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,999 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Chemistry at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 135 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCLA.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Chemistry at University of California - Los Angeles
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #5 spot on the list. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 412 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Chemistry at UCSD
University of California - Irvine came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 175 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Chemistry at UC Irvine
University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 119 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $11,598 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UC Davis Chemistry Report
University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 126 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSB has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,606 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Chemistry at University of California - Santa Barbara
California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,701 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State LA Chemistry Report
University of California - Riverside came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 98 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,193 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCR.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UCR Chemistry Report
California State University - Fullerton came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $5,821 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Chemistry at California State University - Fullerton
California State University - Long Beach came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. It costs about $7,573 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Chemistry at California State University - Long Beach
San Diego State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 105 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $9,274 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Chemistry at San Diego State University
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 37 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Chemistry at Sac State
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Chemistry at UC Santa Cruz
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $12,992 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Chemistry at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
With a ranking of #17, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full CSUSB Chemistry Report
With a ranking of #18, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 40 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Chemistry Report
University of California - Merced ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 53 diplomas to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
UC Merced also made our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend UC Merced is $11,400 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Chemistry at UC Merced
With a ranking of #20, California State University - Channel Islands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUCI is located in Camarillo, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUCI has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUCI is $13,125 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full CSUCI Chemistry Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $13,194 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about Chemistry at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
With a ranking of #22, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 20 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,298 for california chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Full Humboldt State University Chemistry Report
With a ranking of #23, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Redlands is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Redlands, California. It awarded 12 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Redlands not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. It costs about $22,360 for California Chemistry students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Redlands.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Redlands Chemistry Report
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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