2026 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in the Far Western Region

[Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/emergency-medical-technology-technician-emt-paramedic/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools.
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2026 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools
For return on investment in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), no school beat Skyline College this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $88,132. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moreno Valley College earned it the #5 place for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #6 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #7 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College came in at #8 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Ventura College earned the #10 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College earned the #11 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College came in at #12 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Students borrow a median of $11,150 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $78,871. Set against $11,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #13 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American 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. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $100,258. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Butte College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $65,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellingham Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Kapiolani Community College earned the #17 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Students borrow a median of $15,709 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $83,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #18 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $15,250. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College earned the #19 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Bakersfield College earned the #20 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College placed #21 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College earned the #22 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #23 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $11,600 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $64,976 early in their careers. Set against $11,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College came in at #24 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $20,183. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $63,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College landed the #25 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic):
Narrow Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.