2027 Best Value Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/water-quality-and-wastewater-treatment-management-and-recycling-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician students.
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2027 Best Value Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Schools
Santiago Canyon College tops our 2027 list of the best value water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician schools in the United States. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Citrus College one of the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes Palomar College one of the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #6 among the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #7 for value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Gavilan College earned the #8 position for value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyamaca College landed the #9 spot for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,314 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,435.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District landed the #10 spot for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $37,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clackamas Community College placed #11 among the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,345, with out-of-state students paying around $14,265. Typical student debt for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates is $13,915. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $31,280. That is a strong return on a $13,915 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #12 position for value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia College Sonora ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,035 ten years after entry.
Capital Community College earned the #14 position for value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $43,340. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology landed the #16 spot for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician value this year. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,915 in student loans. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $40,859. Set against $9,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
San Bernardino Valley College came in at #17 for value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Other Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Explore the best-value water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician schools at other degree levels:
View All Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
