by our College Data Analytics Team
[Taxation](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/taxation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong taxation education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value taxation schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in taxation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Irvine Valley College the best value for a degree in taxation in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Taxation graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career taxation graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes American River College one of the best values for taxation. 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, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $14,105. Early-career taxation graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the taxation program here. Taxation graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $85,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for taxation. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career taxation graduates make about $89,070. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Chemeketa Community College landed the #6 spot for taxation value this year. Chemeketa Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, compared with $14,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $15,755. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Chemeketa Community College generally make around $45,440. Set against $15,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #7 position for value in taxation this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career taxation graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Pierce College came in at #8 for value in taxation this year. Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $12,477 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in taxation this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Taxation graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career taxation graduates make about $73,841. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Portland State University earned the #10 position for value in taxation this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $26,475. Early-career taxation graduates make about $66,631. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University placed #11 among the best values for taxation. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #12 among the best values for taxation. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of San Diego earned the #13 position for value in taxation this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $23,795. Early-career taxation graduates make about $68,281. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Gonzaga University placed #14 among the best values for taxation. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $25,188. Early-career taxation graduates make about $77,137. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.