by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mt San Antonio College tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in California. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,384. Value graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $40,929 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for value graduates is $6,999. Early-career value graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #4 place for value. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,692. Value graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Foothill College one of the best values for value. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,595. Early-career value graduates make about $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Allan Hancock College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. 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.
Yuba College landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,729. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the value program here. 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. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Modesto Junior College came in at #9 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Los Angeles Pierce College earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,477. 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.
Butte County Regional Occupational Program earned the #11 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.
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,432. Early-career value graduates make about $28,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,432. Early-career value graduates make about $28,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. Students borrow a median of $16,876 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Ontario earn a median of $44,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista placed #15 among the best values for value. Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chula Vista. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,689. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista generally make around $30,864. That is a strong return on a $14,689 median debt.
Integrity College Of Health landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Integrity College Of Health is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $17,200 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Integrity College Of Health generally make around $51,193.
Stanbridge College placed #17 among the best values for value. Stanbridge College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $41,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Computer Tutor Business And Technical Institute placed #18 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Modesto, Computer Tutor Business And Technical Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $7,248 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Computer Tutor Business And Technical Institute generally make around $28,889. That is a strong return on a $7,248 median debt.
Central Coast College earned the #19 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Central Coast College is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,580. Early-career value graduates make about $27,112. That is a strong return on a $7,580 median debt.
Platt College Anaheim ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Anaheim, Platt College Anaheim is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,847 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Platt College Anaheim generally make around $26,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Platt College Riverside placed #21 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Riverside, Platt College Riverside is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,847. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,999. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Platt College Riverside generally make around $26,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Platt College Ontario placed #22 among the best values for value. Platt College Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,847. Value graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Platt College Ontario generally make around $26,326. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Platt College Los Angeles placed #23 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Alhambra, Platt College Los Angeles is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,847 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $26,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
High Desert Medical College landed the #24 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, High Desert Medical College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Value graduates carry a median of $17,028 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $27,467.
Carrington College California Stockton earned the #25 position for value in value this year. Carrington College California Stockton is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Value graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Value graduates of Carrington College California Stockton earn a median of $36,236 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in value:
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This list is compiled 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
