2026 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools in California
[Physical Fitness Technician](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-fitness-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 55 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical fitness technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical fitness technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools
San Diego Miramar College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for physical fitness technician. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical fitness technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #4 place for physical fitness technician. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical fitness technician, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #6 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #7 for value in physical fitness technician this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician 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.
College Of The Canyons earned the #8 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $9,776. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College landed the #9 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $12,643. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #10 among the best values for physical fitness technician. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #11 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #12 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $6,865. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $19,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College placed #13 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $5,939. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #14 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #15 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $8,046 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $25,516 early in their careers. Set against $8,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College landed the #16 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Solano Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College placed #18 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Cypress College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Orange Coast College landed the #20 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College landed the #21 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College came in at #22 for value in physical fitness technician this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #23 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #24 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical fitness technician value ranking:
More Physical Fitness Technician Rankings
View All Physical Fitness Technician Rankings >
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 · 55 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.
