2026 Best Value Value Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Mt San Antonio College, our #1 best value for value in California. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $40,929. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Value graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Value graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #3 place for value. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Value graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Foothill College earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Yuba College landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Value graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Value graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #8 spot for value value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Modesto Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,575. Early-career value graduates make about $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Pierce College came in at #10 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $12,477 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,521 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,477 median debt.
Butte County Regional Occupational Program earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Butte County Regional Occupational Program is a small public school located in the city of Chico. Early-career value graduates make about $29,437.
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno came in at #12 for value in value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,432. Value graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Fresno earn a median of $28,374 early in their careers. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bakersfield. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,432. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $28,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Ontario, San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $16,876 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Ontario generally make around $44,033. That is a strong return on a $16,876 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista came in at #15 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista earn a median of $30,864 early in their careers. Set against $14,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Integrity College Of Health landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Integrity College Of Health is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Value graduates carry a median of $17,200 in student loans. Value graduates of Integrity College Of Health earn a median of $51,193 early in their careers.
Stanbridge College landed the #17 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Stanbridge College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Value graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Stanbridge College generally make around $41,647. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Computer Tutor Business And Technical Institute ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Modesto, Computer Tutor Business And Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Value graduates carry a median of $7,248 in student loans. Value graduates of Computer Tutor Business And Technical Institute earn a median of $28,889 early in their careers. Set against $7,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Coast College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Central Coast College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Salinas. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,580. Value graduates of Central Coast College earn a median of $27,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Platt College Anaheim placed #20 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Anaheim, Platt College Anaheim is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,847 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $26,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Platt College Riverside landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Platt College Riverside is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,847 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Platt College Riverside generally make around $26,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Platt College Ontario came in at #22 for value in value this year. Platt College Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,847. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Platt College Ontario generally make around $26,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Platt College Los Angeles placed #23 among the best values for value. Platt College Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Alhambra. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,847. Value graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Platt College Los Angeles generally make around $26,326. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
High Desert Medical College came in at #24 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, High Desert Medical College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $17,028 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from High Desert Medical College generally make around $27,467.
Carrington College California Stockton ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Stockton, Carrington College California Stockton is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $36,236. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Value Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in value:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
