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2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California

30 Ranked Colleges
1,781 Degrees Awarded
$12,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor's in California

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 for a Bachelor’s in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Chemistry is the 44th most popular major in the country with 21,951 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, chemistry graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $38,704 and had an average of $22,279 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 3,425 chemistry graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,305 and $18,032 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,781 chemistry graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,907 and $21,546 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California” ranking analyzed 30 colleges that offered 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.

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 chemistry program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 for a Bachelor’s in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Chemistry in California

#16 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Marcos landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 15 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree chemistry students list, CSUSM has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $13,399 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 - San Marcos Chemistry Report

#2

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 101 bachelors’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $14,788 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, 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 SDSU

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 50 bachelors’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,279 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students 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 student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Chemistry Report

#4

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 100 degrees to qualified bachelors’s chemistry students in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,884 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students per year to attend UCSB.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, 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 Chemistry at UCSB

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s chemistry students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $7,991 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Chemistry at California State University - Fullerton

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #6. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 61 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree chemistry students list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,734 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national 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 Chemistry at Cal Poly Pomona

California State University - Channel Islands did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #7. California State University - Channel Islands is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 38 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUCI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,558 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students per year to attend California State University - Channel Islands.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Channel Islands Chemistry Report

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #8. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,979 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 University - Sacramento

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 bachelors’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $21,595 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Chemistry Report

#10

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

University of California - Berkeley came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 129 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $15,329 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students per year to attend UC Berkeley.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%.

Read full report on Chemistry at UC Berkeley

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #11. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 32 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,622 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Chemistry at CSULB

#12

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #12. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 72 bachelors’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,342 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students per year to attend CSUSB.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Chemistry Report

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 148 degrees to qualified bachelors’s chemistry students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $14,783 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemistry at UC Irvine

#20 in overall quality

California State University - Chico landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also made our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $15,017 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Chemistry at Chico State

With a ranking of #15, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 259 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also made our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $14,232 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, 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 more about Chemistry at UCSD

University of California - Davis landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s chemistry degrees to 69 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree chemistry students list, UC Davis has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $14,669 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%.

Read more about Chemistry at UC Davis

#17

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #17. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s chemistry degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $15,113 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

Full SFSU Chemistry Report

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUB also took the #25 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Bakersfield is $5,318 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students.

Read more about Chemistry at California State University - Bakersfield

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 24 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $2,768 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Chemistry Report

#20

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s chemistry students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,692 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students.

Full Humboldt State University Chemistry Report

#21

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #21. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 51 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $12,871 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 University of California - Riverside

#22

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 62 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #10 spot in our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $18,186 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students.

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 low 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%.

Read full report on Chemistry at UC Santa Cruz

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s chemistry degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $11,116 for California Bachelor’s Degree Chemistry students.

Read more about Chemistry at Cal State East Bay

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #24. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 bachelors’s chemistry degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $5,464 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national 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 Chemistry at California State University - Fresno

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chemistry Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #25. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s chemistry degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also made our “Best Chemistry Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Merced is $13,896 for california bachelor’s degree chemistry students.

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 low 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%.

Read full report on Chemistry at UC Merced

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

Footnotes

  • *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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