2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
For return on investment in engineering technologies, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,098. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $120,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #7 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #8 for value in engineering technologies this year. 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, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #9 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College came in at #10 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #11 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #12 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Imperial Valley College earned the #13 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Shasta College earned the #14 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #16 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College placed #17 among the best values for engineering technologies. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College landed the #18 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,196. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Riverside City College placed #20 among the best values for engineering technologies. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $48,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Solano Community College earned the #22 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Sacramento City College came in at #23 for value in engineering technologies this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #24 position for value in engineering technologies this year. 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. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,883 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,287. Set against $15,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Chabot College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Engineering Technologies 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering technologies this year:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 145 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) 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.
