2026 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in California
[General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-ops-support-assistant-services/administrative-assistant-and-secretarial-science-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 108 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 California
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 tops our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools in California. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $11,306. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Reedley College one of the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general administrative assistant and secretarial science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general administrative assistant and secretarial science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science 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.
Pasadena City College came in at #6 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Hartnell College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $6,000. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Shasta College placed #8 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $12,275. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College earned the #9 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $7,995. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #10 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. 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. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Riverside City College came in at #11 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. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Merced College came in at #12 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $45,032. That is a strong return on a $9,024 median debt.
Sierra College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. 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 came in at #14 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College landed the #15 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #16 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #17 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Chaffey College earned the #18 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Cuyamaca College came in at #19 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,314. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,435.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District earned the #20 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Jacinto. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $37,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca placed #21 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public school located in the city of Glendale. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,540 ten years after entry. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education earned the #22 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public school located in the suburb of La Puente. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $9,467. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education admits about 100% of applicants.
Los Angeles City College landed the #23 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $10,763. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $83,699. Set against $10,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Bernardino Valley College landed the #24 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #25 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $6,382. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science:
More General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 108 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.
