by our College Data Analytics TeamBest programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the best degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Mt San Antonio College this year for best. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 27 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $40,929 in their early career. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Mt San Antonio College
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 best students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,427 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,226. Get the full best details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 36 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Santa Rosa Junior College
Foothill College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 28 best students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Foothill College
Carrington College California Pleasant Hill is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #5 spot this year. Carrington College California Pleasant Hill is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Carrington College California Pleasant Hill awarded about 55 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Carrington College California Pleasant Hill generally make around $36,236. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Carrington College California Pleasant Hill
Carrington College California Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 37 best degrees were awarded at Carrington College California Sacramento in the most recent year. Best graduates of Carrington College California Sacramento earn a median of $36,236 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full best program report for Carrington College California Sacramento
Carrington College California San Jose ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of San Jose, Carrington College California San Jose is a small private for-profit university. Carrington College California San Jose awarded about 33 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Carrington College California San Jose generally make around $36,236. Carrington College California San Jose graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full best details for Carrington College California San Jose
Carrington College California San Leandro came in at #8 for best this year. Carrington College California San Leandro is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of San Leandro. There were roughly 28 best students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College California San Leandro in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Carrington College California San Leandro generally make around $36,236. Carrington College California San Leandro graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full best details for Carrington College California San Leandro
Carrington College California Stockton landed the #9 spot for best this year. Carrington College California Stockton is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. There were roughly 35 best students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College California Stockton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Carrington College California Stockton earn around $36,236 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Carrington College California Stockton
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario landed the #10 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Ontario, San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit university. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario awarded about 42 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $44,033 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,876 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at San Joaquin Valley College Ontario
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield landed the #11 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit university. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield awarded about 47 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $28,374 in their early career. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield
San Diego Mesa College earned the #12 position for best this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego Mesa College awarded about 18 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from San Diego Mesa College
Modesto Junior College came in at #13 for best this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 67 best students who graduated with this degree at Modesto Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $36,525 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Modesto Junior College
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno placed #14 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 63 best students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Fresno in the most recent data year. Best graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Fresno earn a median of $28,374 early in their careers. San Joaquin Valley College Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. See the full best program report for San Joaquin Valley College Fresno
Allan Hancock College earned the #15 position for best this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. There were roughly 22 best students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year. Get the full best details for Allan Hancock College
Ventura College earned the #16 position for best this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Ventura College awarded about 45 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Ventura College
Los Angeles Pierce College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public university. There were roughly 32 best students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Pierce College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,477. Read more about the best program at Los Angeles Pierce College
Yuba College placed #18 among the best best schools. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Yuba College in the most recent year. Best graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,729. Read more about the best program at Yuba College
Platt College Los Angeles came in at #19 for best this year. Set in the suburb of Alhambra, Platt College Los Angeles is a small private for-profit institution. About 190 best degrees were awarded at Platt College Los Angeles in the most recent year. Best graduates of Platt College Los Angeles earn a median of $26,326 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,999. Get the full best details for Platt College Los Angeles
Stanbridge College earned the #20 position for best this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of Irvine. About 17 best degrees were awarded at Stanbridge College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Stanbridge College earn around $41,647 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Stanbridge College
Central Coast College landed the #21 spot for best this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Central Coast College is a small private for-profit institution. About 32 best degrees were awarded at Central Coast College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Central Coast College earn around $27,112 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,580 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Central Coast College
Pima Medical Institute San Marcos placed #22 among the best best schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Pima Medical Institute San Marcos is a small private for-profit institution. About 124 best degrees were awarded at Pima Medical Institute San Marcos in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute San Marcos generally make around $30,864. Pima Medical Institute San Marcos graduates carry a median of $14,689 in student loans. See the full best program report for Pima Medical Institute San Marcos
Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 156 best students who graduated with this degree at Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista earn around $30,864 in the first couple years of their career. Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista graduates carry a median of $14,689 in student loans. See the full best program report for Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista
Butte County Regional Occupational Program earned the #24 position for best this year. Butte County Regional Occupational Program is a small public school located in the city of Chico. There were roughly 12 best students who graduated with this degree at Butte County Regional Occupational Program in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $29,437 in their early career. Read more about the best program at Butte County Regional Occupational Program
High Desert Medical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. High Desert Medical College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. There were roughly 100 best students who graduated with this degree at High Desert Medical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from High Desert Medical College generally make around $27,467. Typical student debt for the program is $17,028. Get the full best details for High Desert Medical College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong best education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 33 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
