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2024 Best Schools for the Money (No Aid) in California

165 Colleges
$5,582 Avg Undergrad Tuition & Fees*
$15,412 Avg Room & Board*

It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking.

See What's Included in This Value Report:

Finding Your Best College Match

We analyzed 165 schools across California to determine which have the best value programs. To come up with this ranking of the best value schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.

Our Methodology

To determine the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking, we first add average tuition, fees, and room and board costs (without aid) together. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.

To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

We go into more detail on these factors on our best value ranking methodology page.

More Rankings to View

Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.

With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Degrees
Want to see the list of best value schools for families with specific income levels or whether or not aid is being applied? Click on one of the tiles above. You may also want to narrow this list by location to find the best value schools nearest you. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.

Best Value Schools (No Aid) in California

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
USU crest
United States University
San Diego, California

Our analysis found United States University to be the best value (no aid) school in California in this year’s ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in San Diego, California.

United States University has the honor of being ranked #46 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $12,019 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $11,969 a year.

Full United States University Value Report

2

The quality degree programs at University of California - Los Angeles helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money in California. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of California - Los Angeles is ranked #6 for quality in the state of California. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $30,021 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $29,799 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on University of California - Los Angeles

3
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

The quality degree programs at Golden West College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money in California. Located in Huntington Beach, California, the school is a fairly large public institution.

Not only is Golden West College a great value, but it is also ranked #27 in California for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,439 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $17,253 a year.

Full Golden West College Value Report

4
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Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California

Out of the 165 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Foothill College landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Los Altos Hills, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Foothill College is ranked #19 for quality in the state of California. The average cost without aid for the school is $21,227 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $19,662 a year.

Learn More About Value at Foothill College

5

Out of the 165 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #5 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of California - Berkeley is ranked #2 for quality in the state of California. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $34,462 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $34,396 a year.

Full University of California - Berkeley Value Report

6
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California

Saddleback College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school located in Mission Viejo, California.

Saddleback College has the honor of being ranked #42 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,586 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $17,254 a year.

Learn More About Value at Saddleback College

7
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Fielding Graduate University
Santa Barbara, California

With a ranking of #7, Fielding Graduate University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California list. Fielding is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Barbara, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Fielding Graduate University is ranked #9 for quality in the state of California. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,000 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $29,718 a year.

Read full value report on Fielding Graduate University

8

California State University - Long Beach came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California.

California State University - Long Beach has the honor of being ranked #33 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,784 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $22,218 per year for graduate students.

Full California State University - Long Beach Value Report

9
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, California

West Valley College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in California list. Located in Saratoga, California, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

Not only is West Valley College a great value, but it is also ranked #77 in California for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $14,783 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $13,293 a year.

Full West Valley College Value Report

10

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking. This large public school is located in San Luis Obispo, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is ranked #16 for quality in the state of California. The average cost without aid for the school is $26,527 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $27,961 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

11

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking, coming in at #11. University of California - San Diego is a large public school located in La Jolla, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of California - San Diego is ranked #8 for quality in the state of California. The average cost without aid for the school is $30,845 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $29,709 a year.

Full University of California - San Diego Value Report

12
Pasadena City College crest
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California

With a ranking of #12, Pasadena City College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California list. Pasadena City College is a large public school located in Pasadena, California.

Pasadena City College has the honor of being ranked #59 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $17,792 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $16,580 a year.

Learn More About Value at Pasadena City College

13

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a large student population. It is a public school.

Not only is University of California - Santa Barbara a great value, but it is also ranked #7 in California for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $31,116 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $30,280 a year.

Learn More About Value at University of California - Santa Barbara

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school located in Northridge, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, California State University - Northridge is ranked #56 for quality in the state of California. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,545 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $19,979 a year.

Learn More About Value at California State University - Northridge

15
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Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking. SRJC is located in Santa Rosa, California and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.

Santa Rosa Junior College has the honor of being ranked #49 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,922 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $18,594 a year.

Learn More About Value at Santa Rosa Junior College

16
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, California

With a ranking of #16, Chaffey College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California list. Rancho Cucamonga, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Chaffey College is ranked #60 for quality in the state of California. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,436 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $17,252 a year.

Learn More About Value at Chaffey College

17
Coastline Community College crest
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, California

Coastline Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Fountain Valley, California, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

Coastline Community College has the honor of being ranked #63 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $17,927 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $16,757 a year.

Read full value report on Coastline Community College

18

California State University - Fresno ranked #18 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in California list. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, California State University - Fresno is ranked #71 for quality in the state of California. The average cost without aid for the school is $17,411 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $18,845 a year.

Full California State University - Fresno Value Report

19
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

Orange Coast College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking, coming in at #19. Costa Mesa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Orange Coast College has the honor of being ranked #83 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $15,922 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,724 per year for graduate students.

Full Orange Coast College Value Report

20
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking. Fresno City College is a public institution located in Fresno, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Fresno City College is ranked #81 for quality in the state of California. The average cost without aid for the school is $16,390 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $15,086 a year.

Read full value report on Fresno City College

21
Delta crest
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, California

San Joaquin Delta College landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking. Delta is located in Stockton, California and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.

Not only is San Joaquin Delta College a great value, but it is also ranked #66 in California for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,541 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $17,253 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on San Joaquin Delta College

22
LAHC crest
Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, California

With a ranking of #22, Los Angeles Harbor College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California list. Wilmington, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Not only is Los Angeles Harbor College a great value, but it is also ranked #67 in California for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,491 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $17,253 a year.

Read full value report on Los Angeles Harbor College

23
LAVC crest
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, California

With a ranking of #23, Los Angeles Valley College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California list. This fairly large public school is located in Valley Glen, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Los Angeles Valley College is ranked #69 for quality in the state of California. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,491 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $17,253 per year for graduate students.

Full Los Angeles Valley College Value Report

24

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking, coming in at #24. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of California - Davis is ranked #11 for quality in the state of California. The average cost without aid for the school is $31,663 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $30,626 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on University of California - Davis

25

University of Phoenix - California ranked #25 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in California list. This small private for-profit school is located in Ontario, California.

Not only is University of Phoenix - California a great value, but it is also ranked #40 in California for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,552 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $27,188 a year.

Learn More About Value at University of Phoenix - California

Best Value Schools (No Aid) in the Far Western US Region

View Best Value Schools (No Aid) Nationwide >

All Majors and Fields of Study >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our Best Colleges for the Money in California ranking:

Rank College Location Value
26 Southwestern College Chula Vista, CA Value Report
27 University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA Value Report
27 Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA Value Report
29 Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA Value Report
30 San Jose State University San Jose, CA Value Report
31 Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills, CA Value Report
32 The University of Arizona Global Campus San Diego, CA Value Report
33 Sacramento City College Sacramento, CA Value Report
33 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Value Report

More Rankings >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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