Best colleges for Biological and Physical Sciences in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
Riverside City College, Modesto Junior College and American River College are the top Biological and Physical Sciences programs in California by graduate earnings. Riverside City College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,201, College Scorecard. Santa Monica College, Pasadena City College and Los Angeles Pierce College award the most Biological and Physical Sciences degrees and certificates in California: 1,279, 1,037 and 806 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 99 California colleges offer Biological and Physical Sciences and award 19,845 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Biological and Physical Sciences program offers a comprehensive exploration of the natural sciences, focusing on both life sciences and physical sciences. This interdisciplinary program is designed for students interested in…
Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside City College Riverside Public · Associate degree | $33,201 | 520 | 37% | — | $8,712 |
| 2 | Modesto Junior College Modesto Public · Associate degree | $31,960 | 357 | 30% | — | $9,036 |
| 3 | American River College Sacramento Public · Associate degree | $29,022 | 298 | 37% | — | $14,400 |
| 4 | Victor Valley College Victorville Public · Associate degree | $26,780 | 422 | 62% | — | $9,205 |
| 5 | Mt San Jacinto Community College District San Jacinto Public · Associate degree | $26,228 | 701 | 36% | — | $6,625 |
| 6 | Cerritos College Norwalk Public · Associate degree | $25,221 | 180 | 31% | — | $8,945 |
| 7 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park Public · Associate degree | $23,633 | 331 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | Imperial Valley College Imperial Public · Associate degree | $23,311 | 223 | 45% | — | — |
| 9 | Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley Public · Associate degree | $20,108 | 251 | 34% | — | — |
| 10 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego Public · Associate degree | $19,521 | 165 | 35% | — | $7,785 |
Colleges awarding the most Biological and Physical Sciences degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica Public | 1,279 | Not reported |
| 2 | Pasadena City College Pasadena Public | 1,037 | Not reported |
| 3 | Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills Public | 806 | Not reported |
| 4 | Mt San Jacinto Community College District San Jacinto Public | 701 | $26,228 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen Public | 675 | Not reported |
| 6 | Riverside City College Riverside Public | 520 | $33,201 |
| 7 | Ventura College Ventura Public | 458 | Not reported |
| 8 | Solano Community College Fairfield Public | 428 | Not reported |
| 9 | Victor Valley College Victorville Public | 422 | $26,780 |
| 10 | San Joaquin Delta College Stockton Public | 417 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 89 California colleges offering Biological and Physical Sciences
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121).
Top skills
What Natural Sciences Managers earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Biological and Physical Sciences programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Biological and Physical Sciences degrees?+
Santa Monica College (1,279 graduates a year), Pasadena City College (1,037 graduates a year) and Los Angeles Pierce College (806 graduates a year) award the most Biological and Physical Sciences degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 99 California colleges offer Biological and Physical Sciences.
What is the best college for Biological and Physical Sciences in California?+
By graduate earnings, Riverside City College leads among Biological and Physical Sciences programs in California, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,201, College Scorecard. Modesto Junior College and American River College follow. By degrees awarded, Santa Monica College is the largest, with 1,279 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Biological and Physical Sciences program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Riverside City College tops the list at $33,201. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Natural Sciences Managers earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Natural Sciences Managers in California is $223,850 (median $210,230), across about 14,950 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Biological and Physical Sciences program?+
The Biological and Physical Sciences program offers a comprehensive exploration of the natural sciences, focusing on both life sciences and physical sciences. This interdisciplinary program is designed for students interested in…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, active listening, monitoring, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Natural Sciences Managers?+
The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 8,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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