2026 Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the recording arts technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in recording arts technology/technician, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for recording arts technology/technician. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for recording arts technology/technician. 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, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #4 place for recording arts technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $5,707. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in recording arts technology/technician will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Recording Arts Technology/technician 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.
Citrus College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value recording arts technology/technician schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Las Positas College came in at #7 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Chabot College came in at #8 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $14,122. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #9 position for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College earned the #10 position for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College landed the #11 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, 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 landed the #12 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value recording arts technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Diablo Valley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value recording arts technology/technician schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College came in at #15 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value recording arts technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #17 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $10,332. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miracosta College placed #18 among the best values for recording arts technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #19 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,728. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $37,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College landed the #20 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca came in at #21 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,191, with out-of-state students paying around $10,935. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,540. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles City College placed #22 among the best values for recording arts technology/technician. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $10,763. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
Fullerton College came in at #23 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Antelope Valley College came in at #24 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Valley College landed the #25 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley 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 recording arts technology/technician graduates is $10,254. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $81,600. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for recording arts technology/technician this year:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 61 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.
[Recording Arts Technology/Technician](/majors/communications-tech-support/audiovisual-communications/recording-arts-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
