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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for taxation students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in taxation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Irvine Valley College tops our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools in California. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #2 place for taxation. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American River College earned it the #3 place for taxation. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Taxation graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in taxation will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $85,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for taxation. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $89,070. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $6,382. Taxation graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Los Angeles Pierce College landed the #7 spot for taxation value this year. Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $12,477. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,521. That is a strong return on a $12,477 median debt.
San Jose State University landed the #8 spot for taxation value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot for taxation value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $19,273. Early-career taxation graduates make about $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of San Diego landed the #10 spot for taxation value this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.