2026 Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational/instructional technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Los Angeles the best value for a degree in educational/instructional technology in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $15,525. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $78,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for educational/instructional technology. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational/instructional technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $80,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Foothill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational/instructional technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University East Bay ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $74,406. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University landed the #7 spot for educational/instructional technology value this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $21,754. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #8 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $89,180. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #10 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Irvine earned the #11 position for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $86,662. That is a strong return on a $26,085 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University came in at #12 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $37,758. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $48,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National University came in at #13 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from National University generally make around $82,830. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of San Diego placed #14 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[Educational/Instructional Technology](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/educational-instructional-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong educational/instructional technology education at a price that pays off.
