by our College Data Analytics Team
[Office Administration](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/office-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong office administration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools to find the best return on investment for office administration students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in office administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #1 spot for value among office administration schools in the Far Western Region. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the office administration program here. Early-career office administration graduates make about $40,642. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value office administration schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Office Administration graduates carry a median of $7,998 in student loans. Office Administration graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $56,738 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,998 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in office administration will find it at Saddleback College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the office administration program here. Early-career office administration graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in office administration will find it at Irvine Valley College, which ranked #4. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. 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 office administration program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
West Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value office administration schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the office administration program here. Early-career office administration graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Santa Monica College came in at #6 for value in office administration this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. 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.
Pasadena City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value office administration schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Office Administration graduates carry a median of $5,681 in student loans. Office Administration graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $20,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,681 median debt.
Imperial Valley College placed #8 among the best values for office administration. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Office Administration graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, office administration degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College earned the #9 position for value in office administration this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Office Administration graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, office administration degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #10 for value in office administration this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for office administration graduates is $5,500. Office Administration graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #11 among the best values for office administration. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Office Administration graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career office administration graduates make about $30,315. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College came in at #12 for value in office administration this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Office Administration graduates carry a median of $7,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, office administration degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $7,575 median debt.
Sacramento City College came in at #13 for value in office administration this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for office administration graduates is $7,500. Early-career office administration graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College came in at #14 for value in office administration this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the office administration program here. Early-career office administration graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Taft College landed the #15 spot for office administration value this year. Taft College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Taft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,108, while out-of-state students pay about $10,852. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,861.
Chabot College earned the #16 position for value in office administration this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Typical student debt for office administration graduates is $14,122. Office Administration graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College came in at #17 for value in office administration this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Riverside City College came in at #18 for value in office administration this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the office administration program here. Early-career office administration graduates make about $32,537. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grays Harbor College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value office administration schools. Located in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,593, with out-of-state students paying around $12,553. Typical student debt for office administration graduates is $12,524. Early-career office administration graduates make about $46,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #20 spot for office administration value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
College Of The Redwoods landed the #21 spot for office administration value this year. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for office administration graduates is $20,000. Office Administration graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Porterville College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value office administration schools. Located in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Median earnings reach $36,328 ten years out.
Merced College came in at #23 for value in office administration this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Office Administration graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, office administration degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #24 position for value in office administration this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the office administration program here. Office Administration graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College earned the #25 position for value in office administration this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for office administration graduates is $17,223. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s office administration value ranking:
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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.