2026 Best Value Value Schools in California
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for value in California. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. Value graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $59,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #4. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Value graduates carry a median of $13,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,144. That is a strong return on a $13,300 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,813. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $51,008. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $64,423. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #7 for value in value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Value graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $77,004. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,598. Value graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $62,889 early in their careers. 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. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,492. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $71,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay landed the #11 spot for value value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. 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.
San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for value 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,024. Early-career value graduates make about $85,122. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southwestern College Chula Vista landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, while out-of-state students pay about $10,640. Value graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,187. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,591. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $52,475. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #17 position for value in value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Value graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $56,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #18 for value in value this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Touro University Worldwide placed #19 among the best values for value. Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Alamitos. Students from in state pay about $14,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,289 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,841. Set against $32,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of The Pacific placed #20 among the best values for value. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. 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. Early-career value graduates make about $66,784. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
California Lutheran University placed #21 among the best values for value. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Value graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $54,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of La Verne placed #22 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,333. Value graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Set against $29,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
California Baptist University came in at #23 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $39,244. Early-career value graduates make about $74,317. Set against $39,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
National University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $31,603 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from National University generally make around $75,141. That is a strong return on a $31,603 median debt.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,471. Early-career value graduates make about $70,199. Set against $27,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Value Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value value ranking:
View All Value Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
