2026 Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in network & system administration/administrator, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools
Leading the list is Riverside City College, our #1 best value for network & system administration/administrator in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in network & system administration/administrator will find it at Seattle Community College Central Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $14,699. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in network & system administration/administrator, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peninsula College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miracosta College earned it the #5 place for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
Olympic College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $11,497. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $57,593 early in their careers. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $18,618. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $59,559. Set against $18,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Whatcom Community College came in at #8 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,296, compared with $11,435 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $17,510. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $51,466. That is a strong return on a $17,510 median debt.
Portland Community College came in at #9 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $49,580. That is a strong return on a $20,648 median debt.
Everett Community College landed the #10 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $47,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,542 median debt.
Highline Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $8,958. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. Set against $8,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellevue College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $18,839. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $67,771. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt.
Green River Community College placed #13 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Cabrillo College placed #14 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $10,425. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edmonds Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Located in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,875. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $17,500. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $35,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 27 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.
[Network & System Administration/Administrator](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-technology/network-and-system-administration-administrator/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
