2023 Best Value Colleges for Chemistry (Income $75-$110k) in California
23
Ranked Colleges
3,316
Degrees Awarded
$18,500
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 $75-$110k” 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.
For this year’s “Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in chemistry. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great chemistry programs and 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Chemistry Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Chemistry (Income $75-$110k) in California
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford 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 is $13,623 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Chemistry at Stanford University
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 $75-$110k list. Caltech is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Caltech also made our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $20,010 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Chemistry at California Institute of Technology
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #3 spot on the list. 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.
UC Davis also took the #6 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $18,728 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UC Davis Chemistry Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 170 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $21,601 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
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 #5 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 135 students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #5 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,697 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UCLA.
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%. 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 UCLA
University of California - San Diego ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 412 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
UCSD also took the #3 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,906 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UCSD.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Chemistry at UCSD
University of California - Irvine came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 175 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $20,567 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Chemistry at UC Irvine
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $10,011 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Read full report on Chemistry at California State University - Los Angeles
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 32 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $12,977 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full California State University - Fullerton Chemistry Report
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 54 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k list, CSULB has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $15,101 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Chemistry at California State University - Long Beach
University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 126 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $21,581 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 University of California - Santa Barbara Chemistry Report
San Diego State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 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 $18,957 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full San Diego State University Chemistry Report
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 98 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #11 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,887 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Chemistry at UCR
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k list, Sac State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $16,925 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Sac State Chemistry Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 78 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $18,166 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 full report on Chemistry at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $14,338 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - San Bernardino Chemistry Report
California State University - Northridge landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 40 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k list, CSUN has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $15,380 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Chemistry at California State University - Northridge
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $22,380 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Chemistry at University of California - Santa Cruz
California State University - Channel Islands did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Camarillo, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
CSUCI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Channel Islands is $21,127 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Chemistry at California State University - Channel Islands
University of California - Merced came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 53 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Merced also took the #15 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Merced is $19,795 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on Chemistry at University of California - Merced
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cal Poly 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. It costs about $22,744 for California Chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, 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 94%.
Read full report on Chemistry at Cal Poly 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 $75-$110k list. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University also took the #23 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,326 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Read full report on Chemistry at Humboldt State University
University of Redlands ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k 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 also took the #19 spot in our “Best Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $23,742 for california chemistry students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 full report on Chemistry at University of Redlands
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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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