2026 Best Value Value Schools in California
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
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
University Of California San Diego tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in California. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,501. Early-career value graduates make about $45,488. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of San Diego one of the best values for value. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,795. Early-career value graduates make about $68,281. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
View All Value Rankings >
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
