Best Biological and Physical Sciences Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
25
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$71,056
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$14,276
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Golden West College
Grad rate: 43.2% |
+$135,688 | $50,005 | $12,206 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
San Joaquin Delta College
Grad rate: 30.7% |
+$131,066 | $50,267 | $17,137 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Crafton Hills College
Grad rate: 35.2% |
+$126,172 | $50,147 | $18,384 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
College of the Canyons
Grad rate: 43.4% |
+$93,894 | $47,719 | $10,243 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Evergreen Valley College
Grad rate: 38.6% |
+$68,626 | $47,687 | $22,557 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Cerritos College
Grad rate: 29.1% |
+$43,926 | $45,641 | $8,409 | $8,945 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
San Diego Mesa College
Grad rate: 33.8% |
+$37,582 | $45,701 | $12,964 | $7,785 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
El Camino Community College District
Grad rate: 35.9% |
+$32,268 | $44,951 | $13,376 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Norco College
Grad rate: 33.1% |
+$4,022 | $43,476 | $12,749 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Modesto Junior College
Grad rate: 25.4% |
-$20,216 | $43,076 | $14,769 | $9,036 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Imperial Valley College
Grad rate: 40.8% |
-$63,212 | $40,086 | $12,466 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Moreno Valley College
Grad rate: 27.5% |
-$89,448 | $38,730 | $12,024 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Yuba College
Grad rate: 30.3% |
-$91,980 | $38,621 | $12,200 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
American River College
Grad rate: 29.5% |
-$99,912 | $39,275 | $12,986 | $14,400 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Santa Ana College
Grad rate: 29.2% |
-$107,912 | $38,332 | $11,848 | $8,042 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Biological and Physical Sciences Degrees by State
Browse Biological and Physical Sciences programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.