Looking for the best colleges for the money in the Far Western Region? This list ranks 658 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 658 schools to build this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
We analyzed 658 schools in the Far Western Region to surface the strongest return on investment. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
How We Rank for Value
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money in the Far Western Region. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,211 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 91% of those who apply are admitted.
Out of the 658 schools in the Far Western Region in this year's value ranking, College Of San Mateo landed the #2 spot. Set in San Mateo, CA, College Of San Mateo is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. College Of San Mateo students take on a median of $12,831 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values in the Far Western Region. Based in Fullerton, CA, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. California State University Fullerton students take on a median of $15,525 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Out of the 658 schools in the Far Western Region in this year's value ranking, California State University San Bernardino landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in San Bernardino, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. California State University San Bernardino students take on a median of $15,149 in debt. Median earnings reach $59,977 ten years out. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Out of the 658 schools in the Far Western Region in this year's value ranking, Moorpark College landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Moorpark, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Moorpark College students take on a median of $17,075 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,044 ten years after entry. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. California State University Stanislaus is a public school based in Turlock, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,188 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College landed the #7 spot for value in the Far Western Region this year. This public school is set in San Bruno, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Skyline College alumni report median earnings of $55,702 a decade after entry.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Santiago Canyon College is a public school based in Orange, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,956. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego Miramar College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. San Diego Miramar College alumni report median earnings of $48,224 a decade after entry. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College landed the #10 spot for value in the Far Western Region this year. Located in Oxnard, CA, Oxnard College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
California State University Bakersfield offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Bakersfield, CA, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Irvine Valley College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Irvine Valley College is a public school based in Irvine, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. California State University Northridge is a public school based in Northridge, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. California State University Northridge students take on a median of $16,202 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,115. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Santa Ana College is a public school based in Santa Ana, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #15 spot for value in the Far Western Region this year. College Of The Canyons is a public school based in Santa Clarita, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,022. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno landed the #16 spot for value in the Far Western Region this year. California State University Fresno is a public school based in Fresno, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,244. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Cerritos College landed the #17 spot for value in the Far Western Region this year. Located in Norwalk, CA, Cerritos College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Cerritos College students take on a median of $11,306 in debt. Cerritos College alumni report median earnings of $41,156 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
West Valley College placed #18 among the best values in the Far Western Region. Based in Saratoga, CA, West Valley College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. West Valley College students take on a median of $14,308 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,688. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #19 spot for value in the Far Western Region this year. This public school is set in Santa Rosa, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,224 ten years after entry. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Redwood City, CA, Canada College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Typical student debt is $15,000. Median earnings reach $50,087 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle Community College South Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Santa Monica College landed the #22 spot for value in the Far Western Region this year. This public school is set in Santa Monica, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Santa Monica College alumni report median earnings of $42,193 a decade after entry.
Pasadena City College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Pasadena, CA, Pasadena City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete their program here. Pasadena City College alumni report median earnings of $43,937 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. De Anza College is a public school based in Cupertino, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Cypress, CA, Cypress College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Cypress College alumni report median earnings of $43,533 a decade after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools in the Far Western Region
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 658 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Region · 658 schools evaluated.References
