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Cheapest Chemistry Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Chemistry graduates from California's most affordable programs face a striking earnings gap that ranges from $20,687 at CSU Fresno to $42,682 at CSU Sacramento, despite similar net costs under $11,000. The 14 public universities on this list demonstrate how California's Cal Grant system keeps chemistry education accessible across varied regions, from the Central Valley to Los Angeles. UC San Diego stands out with an $11,750 net price yet delivers an 87.60% graduation rate, reflecting the high demand for chemistry talent in California's biotech corridor. The state's massive pharmaceutical and aerospace industries, including companies like Amgen and SpaceX, create strong job markets for chemistry graduates. While CSU Dominguez Hills offers the lowest net cost at $3,659, schools like CSU Long Beach balance affordability with selectivity at a 39.95% acceptance rate. These programs serve students entering a field where California leads the nation in chemical research and development spending.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $31,265
Net Price Range
$36,368
Avg. Program Earnings
67.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Chemistry Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
10 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
11 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
12 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
13 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
14 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
15 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
16 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
17 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
18 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
19 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
20 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
21 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
22 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
23 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
24 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
25 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
26 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
27 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
28 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
29 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
30 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
31 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
32 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
33 $18,902 $63,255 93.2% 2.7%
34 $19,424 $62,326 93.2% 7.0%
35 $19,761 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
36 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
37 $20,979 $35,214 51.5% 48.5%
38 $22,867 $57,614 70.7% 81.9%
39 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
40 $25,926 $55,340 67.8% 93.2%
41 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
42 $26,433 $50,670 74.0% 87.2%
43 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
44 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
45 $27,384 $64,150 95.2% 10.4%
46 $28,046 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
47 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
48 $29,871 $49,864 63.4% 75.5%
49 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
50 $31,265 $56,444 81.6% 52.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $39,000 earnings difference between the highest and lowest paying chemistry programs?

CSU Sacramento chemistry graduates earn $42,682 compared to just $20,687 at CSU Fresno, largely due to regional job markets. Sacramento's proximity to Bay Area biotech companies and state government research positions drives higher salaries. Fresno serves the Central Valley's agricultural chemistry sector, which typically offers lower starting wages. The $22,000 gap reflects California's stark regional economic differences.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs among these chemistry schools?

UC San Diego achieves an 87.60% graduation rate despite an $11,750 net cost, while CSU Dominguez Hills graduates only 46.90% of students at $3,659 net cost. CSU Long Beach and Cal Poly Pomona both exceed 66% graduation rates with mid-range pricing around $9,000-$12,000. The data suggests higher investment often correlates with better completion rates in chemistry programs.

Is UC San Diego worth the higher cost compared to CSU chemistry programs?

UC San Diego's $11,750 net cost delivers significant value with an 87.60% graduation rate and $39,369 average earnings. The 23.71% acceptance rate indicates high selectivity and strong academic preparation. CSU alternatives like Long Beach offer 69.90% graduation rates at $8,931, making them solid middle-ground options. The choice depends on career goals and academic competitiveness.

Where do California's most affordable chemistry programs cluster geographically?

The Los Angeles region dominates with CSU Dominguez Hills ($3,659), CSU Los Angeles ($4,113), CSU Northridge ($7,599), and CSU Long Beach ($8,931). Central Valley schools like CSU Fresno and CSU Stanislaus offer sub-$7,000 costs. Northern California shows higher prices, with CSU Sacramento at $10,512 reflecting the region's elevated living costs. Geographic clustering reflects both state funding formulas and local economic conditions.

Does student debt burden vary significantly among these affordable chemistry programs?

Student debt ranges from $12,430 at CSU Long Beach to $26,263 at CSU Sacramento among schools reporting debt data. CSU San Bernardino keeps debt moderate at $16,276 despite strong $33,993 earnings potential. Cal Poly Pomona graduates carry $23,333 in debt but earn $37,424 annually. Most CSU chemistry programs maintain reasonable debt-to-income ratios under 1:2.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.