2026 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theater design & technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for theater design & technology in California. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in theater design & technology will find it at College Of The Sequoias, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College placed #7 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #9 for value in theater design & technology this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #10 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Citrus College landed the #11 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Santa Ana College earned the #12 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Riverside City College placed #13 among the best values for theater design & technology. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #14 among the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College placed #15 among the best values for theater design & technology. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
American River College earned the #16 position for value in theater design & technology this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Theater Design & Technology graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College earned the #17 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology 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 landed the #19 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Early-career theater design & technology graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College landed the #21 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theater design & technology graduates is $6,952. Theater Design & Technology graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value theater design & technology schools. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College earned the #23 position for value in theater design & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #24 among the best values for theater design & technology. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Theater Design & Technology graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #25 spot for theater design & technology value this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the theater design & technology program here. Soon after graduation, theater design & technology degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for theater design & technology this year:
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
[Theater Design & Technology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/theater-design-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
