2026 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in the Far Western Region
[General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-ops-support-assistant-services/administrative-assistant-and-secretarial-science-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general administrative assistant and secretarial science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 138 schools to find the best return on investment for general administrative assistant and secretarial science students.
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2026 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general administrative assistant and secretarial science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools
Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools in the Far Western Region. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general administrative assistant and secretarial science, landing the #4 spot this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College landed the #7 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College landed the #8 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #9 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College earned the #11 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College earned the #12 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $9,024. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College placed #13 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Butte College placed #14 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #15 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Peninsula College landed the #16 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,718, compared with $5,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $12,730. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College placed #17 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Long Beach City College earned the #18 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyamaca College placed #20 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Cuyamaca College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,346, while out-of-state students pay about $11,314. Median earnings reach $32,435 ten years out.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #21 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $37,488 early in their careers. Set against $8,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca earned the #22 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,191, while out-of-state students pay about $10,935. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $19,800. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawaii Community College earned the #23 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the town of Hilo, Hawaii Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,204, while out-of-state students pay about $8,340. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $13,170 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Hawaii Community College earn a median of $37,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,763 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College landed the #25 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 138 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
