2026 Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools in California
[Recording Arts Technology/Technician](/majors/communications-tech-support/audiovisual-communications/recording-arts-technology-technician/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for recording arts technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the recording arts technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in recording arts technology/technician, no school beat Moorpark College this year. 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. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for recording arts technology/technician. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for recording arts technology/technician. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #4 place for recording arts technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $5,707. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in recording arts technology/technician will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value recording arts technology/technician schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Las Positas College came in at #7 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Chabot College came in at #8 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $14,122. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #9 position for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College earned the #10 position for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College landed the #11 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College landed the #12 spot for recording arts technology/technician 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value recording arts technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Diablo Valley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value recording arts technology/technician schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College came in at #15 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value recording arts technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #17 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $10,332. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miracosta College placed #18 among the best values for recording arts technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #19 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,728. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete the recording arts technology/technician program here. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $37,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College landed the #20 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca came in at #21 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,191, with out-of-state students paying around $10,935. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,540. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles City College placed #22 among the best values for recording arts technology/technician. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $10,763. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
Fullerton College came in at #23 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Antelope Valley College came in at #24 for value in recording arts technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Recording Arts Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, recording arts technology/technician degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Valley College landed the #25 spot for recording arts technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for recording arts technology/technician graduates is $10,254. Early-career recording arts technology/technician graduates make about $81,600. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for recording arts technology/technician this year:
More Recording Arts Technology/Technician Rankings
View All Recording Arts Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
