by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mathematics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1490 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mathematics schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mathematics degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among mathematics schools in the United States. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics, 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. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $17,075. Mathematics graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #4. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $8,098. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
De Anza College placed #6 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #8 spot for mathematics value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #9 for value in mathematics this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College earned the #10 position for value in mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #11 among the best values for mathematics. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #12 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $14,692. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #13 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $14,308. Mathematics graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #14 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. 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 mathematics graduates is $9,191. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #15 position for value in mathematics this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College landed the #16 spot for mathematics value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $21,500. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College earned the #17 position for value in mathematics this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #18 position for value in mathematics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Orange Coast College landed the #19 spot for mathematics value 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, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College came in at #20 for value in mathematics this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Cerritos College earned the #21 position for value in mathematics this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Norco College came in at #23 for value in mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College placed #24 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Mathematics 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.
Santa Monica College placed #25 among the best values for mathematics. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mathematics value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Mathematics rankings across degree levels:
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 · 1490 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.