2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Value graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $36,626. That is a strong return on a $13,273 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Value graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $66,365. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $59,179. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,300. Value graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $49,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,300 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,008. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $64,423 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for value graduates is $37,500. Early-career value graduates make about $77,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Bakersfield placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $62,889. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Sacramento placed #10 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Value graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Value graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $63,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
California State University East Bay ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,073. Value graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $84,881 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Southeast earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Value graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Alaska Southeast generally make around $56,741. That is a strong return on a $20,458 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
San Francisco State University earned the #14 position for value in value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Value graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Value graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $85,122 early in their careers. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #15 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Value graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $70,392. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,344, compared with $10,640 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,358. Set against $11,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland State University came in at #17 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,475. Early-career value graduates make about $73,655. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #18 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Value graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii West Oahu admits about 95% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #19 for value in value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside placed #20 among the best values for value. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
California State University Chico landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,591. Early-career value graduates make about $52,475. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,918. Early-career value graduates make about $50,691. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #23 among the best values for value. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $56,415. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University placed #24 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Value graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Oregon came in at #25 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Students borrow a median of $16,166 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $39,365. Set against $16,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Value Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value value ranking:
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) 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.
