2026 Best Value Value Schools in California
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in California. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of The Pacific one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Value graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. That is a strong return on a $23,514 median debt. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of La Verne earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,470. Value graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Saint Marys College Of California, which ranked #4. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $59,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of San Diego, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,795. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
California Institute Of Arts And Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. California Institute Of Arts And Technology is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of National City. In-state tuition and fees average $22,270. Students borrow a median of $21,696 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,778.
University Of San Francisco came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,935. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. That is a strong return on a $23,935 median debt. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
