2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Accounting Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among accounting schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Accounting graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #3. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for accounting. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the accounting program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College earned the #7 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the accounting program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #8 position for value in accounting this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #9 position for value in accounting this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
San Diego City College earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College landed the #11 spot for accounting value this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #13 among the best values for accounting. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $34,604. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Santa Ana College earned the #15 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Accounting graduates carry a median of $16,487 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $39,633. Set against $16,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #16 for value in accounting this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #17 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Accounting graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College landed the #18 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $10,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College landed the #19 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #20 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Folsom Lake College landed the #21 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Golden West College landed the #22 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College earned the #23 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,105. Accounting graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College placed #25 among the best values for accounting. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s accounting value ranking:
Narrow Accounting Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 278 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 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.
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
