by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
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:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career value graduates make about $40,929. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Value graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellingham Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Ventura College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Allan Hancock College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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 earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #9 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #10 among the best values for value. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Windward Community College landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Kaneohe, Windward Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,194, with out-of-state students paying around $8,330. Students borrow a median of $10,395 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Windward Community College earn a median of $38,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $40,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Value graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,418, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.
Butte County Regional Occupational Program ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Chico, Butte County Regional Occupational Program is a small public university. Value graduates of Butte County Regional Occupational Program earn a median of $29,437 early in their careers.
Modesto Junior College placed #16 among the best values for value. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,575. Value graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Oregon Community College earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Bend, Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Pierce College landed the #18 spot for value 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. That is a strong return on a $12,477 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield placed #19 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit institution. Value graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $28,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno came in at #20 for value in value this year. 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. Value graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Fresno earn a median of $28,374 early in their careers. 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. Set in the city of Ontario, San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit institution. Value graduates carry a median of $16,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Ontario generally make around $44,033. That is a strong return on a $16,876 median debt.
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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,689. Early-career value graduates make about $30,864. That is a strong return on a $14,689 median debt.
Integrity College Of Health ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Integrity College Of Health is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $17,200 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,193.
Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas came in at #24 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas generally make around $30,864. That is a strong return on a $14,689 median debt.
Stanbridge College placed #25 among the best values for value. Stanbridge College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,500. Value graduates of Stanbridge College earn a median of $41,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for value this year:
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The ranking above is published 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
