2026 Best Value Radio & Television Schools in California
[Radio & Television](/majors/communication-journalism-media/radio-television-digital-communication/radio-and-television/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong radio & television education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value radio & television schools.
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2026 Best Value Radio & Television Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in radio & television, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Radio & Television Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among radio & television schools in California. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the radio & television program here. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #3 place 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, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in radio & television, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in radio & television will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #5. San Diego City 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for radio & television value 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. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. 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. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $9,191. Early-career radio & television graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #9 position for value in radio & television 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, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College landed the #10 spot for radio & television value this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the radio & television program here. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles placed #11 among the best values for radio & television. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 came in at #12 for value in radio & television 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $8,729. Radio & Television graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Orange Coast College earned the #13 position for value in radio & television 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. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the radio & television program here. Radio & Television graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. 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. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College came in at #15 for value in radio & television this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Radio & Television graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Cypress College placed #16 among the best values for radio & television. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #17 for value in radio & television this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Radio & Television graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College earned the #18 position for value in radio & television this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for radio & television graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value radio & television schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. 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.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Radio & Television graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District landed the #21 spot for radio & television value this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Palomar College earned the #22 position for value in radio & television this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College placed #23 among the best values for radio & television. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the radio & television program here. Soon after graduation, radio & television degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College earned the #24 position for value in radio & television this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. 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 placed #25 among the best values for radio & television. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Radio & Television Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for radio & television this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 69 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.
