by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in California? Our ranking highlights 474 schools 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 — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 474 schools to build this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Our analysis looked at 474 schools in California to determine which deliver the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. Read more about our methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best college for the money in California. College Of San Mateo is a public school based in San Mateo, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. College Of San Mateo students take on a median of $12,831 in debt. College Of San Mateo alumni report median earnings of $54,172 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in California. Located in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. The median program debt is $14,430. Median earnings reach $59,211 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place in California. Set in Moorpark, CA, Moorpark College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $49,044 ten years out. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values in California. Located in San Bernardino, CA, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,977. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in California. Set in Fullerton, CA, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt is $15,525. California State University Fullerton alumni report median earnings of $62,951 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Skyline College placed #6 among the best values in California. Set in San Bruno, CA, Skyline College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Skyline College alumni report median earnings of $55,702 a decade after entry.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #7 spot for value in California this year. Santiago Canyon College is a public school based in Orange, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt is $5,500. Median earnings reach $44,956 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Oxnard College landed the #8 spot for value in California this year. Located in Oxnard, CA, Oxnard College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,393.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Turlock, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
San Diego Miramar College placed #10 among the best values in California. San Diego Miramar College is a public school based in San Diego, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. The median program debt is $8,098. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Irvine Valley College students take on a median of $6,672 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Bakersfield, CA. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Santa Ana College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Santa Ana, CA, Santa Ana College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete their program here. Santa Ana College alumni report median earnings of $43,552 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Canada College landed the #14 spot for value in California this year. Located in Redwood City, CA, Canada College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,087. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
College Of The Canyons landed the #15 spot for value in California this year. This public school is set in Santa Clarita, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. The median program debt is $9,776. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,022 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #16 spot for value in California this year. This public school is set in Norwalk, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Cerritos College students take on a median of $11,306 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #17 among the best values in California. This public school is set in Saratoga, CA. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,115. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Santa Monica College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Santa Monica College is a public school based in Santa Monica, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
California State University Fresno landed the #20 spot for value in California this year. Located in Fresno, CA, California State University Fresno is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt is $15,598. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno has an acceptance rate of 95%.
Ventura College placed #21 among the best values in California. Set in Ventura, CA, Ventura College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt is $20,250. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. College Of The Sequoias is a public school based in Visalia, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $10,288. College Of The Sequoias alumni report median earnings of $39,092 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Santa Rosa, CA, Santa Rosa Junior College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete their program here. Santa Rosa Junior College alumni report median earnings of $47,224 a decade after entry. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #24 among the best values in California. Based in Pasadena, CA, Pasadena City College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #25 among the best values in California. San Joaquin Delta College is a public school based in Stockton, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,212. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
These schools also placed among the top values this year — click any name to learn more:
Also worth considering for the money:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 474 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs 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: State · 474 schools evaluated. References
See our data sources and methodologies.