by our College Data Analytics Team
[Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/emergency-medical-technology-technician-emt-paramedic/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degrees they offer, see the list below.
Skyline College earned the #1 spot for value among emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools in California. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #2 place for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), landing the #3 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moreno Valley College earned it the #5 place for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #6 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #7 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #8 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #9 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. 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. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College landed the #10 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College earned the #11 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $78,871. That is a strong return on a $11,150 median debt.
American River College placed #13 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $100,258. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Butte College came in at #14 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $13,302. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Butte College earn a median of $65,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Orange Coast College came in at #15 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, 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.
Allan Hancock College earned the #16 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. 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, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College landed the #18 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College earned the #19 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #20 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Palomar College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
El Camino Community College District ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Chaffey College came in at #23 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #24 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Foothill College earned the #25 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $12,000. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $107,048. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value ranking:
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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.