2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Mt San Antonio College the best value for a degree in value in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $40,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $6,999. Value graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bellingham Technical College earned it the #4 place for value. Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes Ventura College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,250. Early-career value graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College placed #6 among the best values for value. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Yuba College came in at #7 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,729. Early-career value graduates make about $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Value graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #10 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,980. Early-career value graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Windward Community College came in at #11 for value in value this year. Windward Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kaneohe. Students from in state pay about $3,194 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,330. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,395. Early-career value graduates make about $38,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Value graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,748. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #13 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Value graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Value graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte County Regional Occupational Program earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Chico, Butte County Regional Occupational Program is a small public institution. Early-career value graduates make about $29,437.
Modesto Junior College landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Value graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Value graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Oregon Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,683, compared with $15,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $52,183. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Pierce College came in at #18 for value in value this year. Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete the value program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,521 ten years after entry. Set against $12,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earned the #19 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $28,374. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno placed #20 among the best values for value. San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $28,374. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario earned the #21 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Ontario, San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,876. Early-career value graduates make about $44,033. Set against $16,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista is a small private for-profit university. Value graduates carry a median of $14,689 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $30,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Integrity College Of Health earned the #23 position for value in value this year. Integrity College Of Health is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Value graduates carry a median of $17,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Integrity College Of Health generally make around $51,193.
Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas earned the #24 position for value in value this year. Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas earn a median of $30,864 early in their careers. Set against $14,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanbridge College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Stanbridge College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Value graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Stanbridge College generally make around $41,647. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Value Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value value ranking:
Narrow Value Schools by State
View All Value Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
