2023 Best Value Colleges for General Chemistry (Income $0-$30k) in California
23
Ranked Colleges
3,013
Degrees Awarded
$8,300
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 20,056 people earned their degree in general chemistry, making the major the 43rd most popular in the United States.
Across California, there were 3,013 general chemistry graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in general chemistry. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general chemistry programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general chemistry program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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 $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for General Chemistry (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 58 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list. It costs about $1,233 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stanford University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Stanford University General Chemistry Report
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 170 ’s chemistry degrees 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 General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
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 full report on General Chemistry at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 135 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Chemistry at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Caltech is $-539 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on General Chemistry at Caltech
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 172 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $9,823 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full UCSD General Chemistry Report
University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 116 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $10,568 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Chemistry at UCSB
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 170 ’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.
UC Irvine also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $6,540 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%.
Full University of California - Irvine General Chemistry Report
University of California - Davis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also made our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $10,006 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Chemistry at University of California - Davis
San Diego State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 105 diplomas to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $7,169 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Chemistry at SDSU
With a ranking of #10, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA also made our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $1,887 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about General Chemistry at California State University - Los Angeles
With a ranking of #11, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s 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 General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on General Chemistry at California State University - Fullerton
University of California - Riverside ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 98 students in 2020-2021.
UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $6,810 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Chemistry at UCR
California State University - Long Beach came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 54 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $6,663 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full CSULB General Chemistry Report
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 93 degrees to qualified ’s chemistry students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $11,038 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 General Chemistry at University of California - Santa Cruz
California State University - Sacramento landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sac State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $8,163 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Chemistry at Sac State
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Chemistry at Cal Poly Pomona
With a ranking of #17, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 40 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $6,266 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUN.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge General Chemistry Report
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 45 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $5,985 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 General Chemistry Report
University of California - Merced landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 41 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Merced also made our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Merced is $10,363 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Chemistry at UC Merced
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo General Chemistry Report
California State University - Channel Islands did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Camarillo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s chemistry degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUCI has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUCI is $12,011 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about General Chemistry at California State University - Channel Islands
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Chemistry Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 20 ’s chemistry degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humboldt State University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $11,473 for California Chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Humboldt State University General 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 $0-$30k 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Redlands, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Chemistry Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Redlands is $20,409 for california chemistry students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.
Full University of Redlands General 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.
