2026 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools in the Far Western Region

[Audiovisual Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/audiovisual-communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong audiovisual communications education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for audiovisual communications students.
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Featured Audiovisual Communications Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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2026 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the audiovisual communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in audiovisual communications in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in audiovisual communications will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in audiovisual communications will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #3. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $7,234. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #4 place for audiovisual communications. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $5,707. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for audiovisual communications. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $9,384. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $9,191. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #7 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Citrus College earned the #8 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Riverside City College landed the #9 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College came in at #10 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Sacramento City College placed #11 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $13,180. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $14,122. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College earned the #13 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Orange Coast College placed #14 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $8,978. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College earned the #15 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #17 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College placed #18 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Chaffey College landed the #20 spot for audiovisual communications value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #21 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miracosta College came in at #22 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #23 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $17,031. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $34,901 early in their careers. Set against $17,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District placed #24 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $37,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College came in at #25 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for audiovisual communications this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.