2026 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools in California
[Audiovisual Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/audiovisual-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 79 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
BA in Communication
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MA in Communication
Effective communicators are always in demand, no matter the industry. The Master's in Communication degree from Southern New Hampshire University is a cutting-edge program designed for forward-thinking professionals.
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2026 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools in California
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
For return on investment in audiovisual communications, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. 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.
Fresno City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $7,234. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #3 place for audiovisual communications. 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. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #5 place for audiovisual communications. 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. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. 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 ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Citrus College landed the #8 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Riverside City College came in at #9 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $8,767. 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 earned the #10 position 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, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Sacramento City College placed #11 among the best values for audiovisual communications. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $13,180. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College earned the #12 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $14,122. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Cypress College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Sierra College came in at #14 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. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value audiovisual communications schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Soon after graduation, audiovisual communications degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College came in at #16 for value in audiovisual communications this year. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #17 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $14,692. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College landed the #18 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $9,419. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College earned the #19 position for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Audiovisual Communications graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Audiovisual Communications graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Chaffey College landed the #20 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #21 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. 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 landed the #22 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District landed the #23 spot for audiovisual communications value this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,728. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $8,770. Audiovisual Communications 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.
Foothill College earned the #24 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for audiovisual communications graduates is $11,595. Early-career audiovisual communications graduates make about $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca came in at #25 for value in audiovisual communications this year. Located in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,191, while out-of-state students pay about $10,935. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete the audiovisual communications program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,540 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,800 median debt.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for audiovisual communications this year:
More Audiovisual Communications Rankings
View All Audiovisual Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
