2026 Best Value Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Schools in California
[Pharmacy Technician/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/pharmacy-technician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 73 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pharmacy technician/assistant schools.
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2026 Best Value Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pharmacy technician/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Schools
For return on investment in pharmacy technician/assistant, no school beat College Of The Sequoias this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $14,000. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $57,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. 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 pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #3 place for pharmacy technician/assistant. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $12,368 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $28,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pharmacy technician/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #6 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College earned the #7 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Los Angeles College placed #8 among the best values for pharmacy technician/assistant. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from West Los Angeles College generally make around $65,978.
Imperial Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy technician/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $6,176. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College landed the #10 spot for pharmacy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College placed #11 among the best values for pharmacy technician/assistant. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles 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. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Desert landed the #12 spot for pharmacy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,326, compared with $10,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $7,826. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $41,295. Set against $7,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Mission College came in at #13 for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Los Angeles Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Sylmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,834.
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno landed the #14 spot for pharmacy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $14,635. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $27,015. Set against $14,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura Adult And Continuing Education earned the #15 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura Adult And Continuing Education is a small public institution. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $4,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Ventura Adult And Continuing Education generally make around $31,821. Set against $4,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Charles A Jones Career And Education Center came in at #16 for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Charles A Jones Career And Education Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $4,730 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,064. That is a strong return on a $4,730 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earned the #17 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $14,635 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $27,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy technician/assistant schools. Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chula Vista. Students borrow a median of $9,457 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista earn a median of $31,915 early in their careers. Set against $9,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Downey Adult School earned the #19 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Downey, Downey Adult School is a small public institution. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $9,009. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Downey Adult School earn a median of $29,694 early in their careers. Set against $9,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia landed the #20 spot for pharmacy technician/assistant value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hesperia. Students borrow a median of $14,635 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia earn a median of $27,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,635 median debt.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education earned the #21 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of La Puente, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Hacienda La Puente Adult Education generally make around $9,467. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Riverside County Office Of Education School Of Career Education came in at #22 for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Riverside County Office Of Education School Of Career Education is a small public school located in the rural area of Riverside. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Riverside County Office Of Education School Of Career Education generally make around $26,599.
Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education placed #23 among the best values for pharmacy technician/assistant. Set in the suburb of Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education is a small public institution. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $28,942.
Concorde Career College Garden Grove earned the #24 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Concorde Career College Garden Grove is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden Grove. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $19,625. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Concorde Career College Garden Grove generally make around $42,923. That is a strong return on a $19,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster came in at #25 for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $14,635 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $27,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s pharmacy technician/assistant value ranking:
More Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
