2026 Best Value Radio & Television Schools in the Far Western Region
[Radio & Television](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/radio-and-television/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 71 schools to find the best return on investment for radio & television students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Radio & Television Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the radio & television degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Radio & Television Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools in the Far Western Region. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $17,075. Radio & Television graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in radio & television will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the radio & television program here. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for radio & television. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio & television, landing the #4 spot this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio & television, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $5,707. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
San Diego City College landed the #6 spot for radio & television value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $9,514. Radio & Television graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #7 position for value in radio & television this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #8 position for value in radio & television this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santa Ana College landed the #9 spot for radio & television value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College placed #10 among the best values for radio & television. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $8,767. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #11 among the best values for radio & television. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $15,068. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $22,133. Set against $15,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Yuba College earned the #12 position for value in radio & television this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College landed the #13 spot for radio & television value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $8,978. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
De Anza College came in at #14 for value in radio & television this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the radio & television program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Cypress College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $14,692. Radio & Television graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
California State University Fullerton came in at #18 for value in radio & television this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $17,504. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $24,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cosumnes River College placed #19 among the best values for radio & television. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College placed #20 among the best values for radio & television. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the radio & television program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District came in at #21 for value in radio & television this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Palomar College placed #22 among the best values for radio & television. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Diablo Valley College earned the #23 position for value in radio & television this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $9,205. Radio & Television graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College came in at #24 for value in radio & television this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $6,952. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miracosta College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Radio & Television Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in radio & television:
Narrow Radio & Television Schools by State
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Notes and References
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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
