by our College Data Analytics Team
[Electrician](/majors/construction-trades/electrical-power-transmission-installers/electrician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong electrician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 77 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for electrician students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in electrician, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in electrician, no school beat College Of The Sequoias this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $10,288. Early-career electrician graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value electrician schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Electrician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career electrician graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrician, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Electrician graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career electrician graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bates Technical College earned it the #4 place for electrician. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Electrician graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
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Norco College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value electrician schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the electrician program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College earned the #7 position for value in electrician this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $14,105. Electrician graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellingham Technical College landed the #8 spot for electrician value this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
Chabot College landed the #9 spot for electrician value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the electrician program here. Early-career electrician graduates make about $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value electrician schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Electrician graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Electrician graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College placed #11 among the best values for electrician. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the electrician program here. Electrician graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,024 median debt.
Palomar College landed the #12 spot for electrician value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
College Of The Redwoods came in at #13 for value in electrician this year. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Great Basin College came in at #14 for value in electrician this year. Located in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,996 for out-of-state students. Electrician graduates carry a median of $17,128 in student loans. Early-career electrician graduates make about $67,461. Set against $17,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kauai Community College placed #15 among the best values for electrician. Set in the rural area of Lihue, Kauai Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,388. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the electrician program here. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Kauai Community College generally make around $23,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College placed #16 among the best values for electrician. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the electrician program here. Electrician graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College placed #17 among the best values for electrician. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Electrician graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Hawaii Community College came in at #18 for value in electrician this year. Hawaii Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,204, compared with $8,340 for out-of-state students. Electrician graduates carry a median of $13,170 in student loans. Electrician graduates of Hawaii Community College earn a median of $37,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,170 median debt.
Lane Community College came in at #19 for value in electrician this year. Lane Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Eugene. In-state tuition and fees average $6,202, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Electrician graduates carry a median of $18,373 in student loans. Early-career electrician graduates make about $60,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #20 position for value in electrician this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the electrician program here. Early-career electrician graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #21 spot for electrician value this year. Los Angeles Trade Technical 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the electrician program here. Early-career electrician graduates make about $50,745. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College earned the #22 position for value in electrician this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $10,729. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuesta College placed #23 among the best values for electrician. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the electrician program here. Early-career electrician graduates make about $64,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value electrician schools. Set in the suburb of Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education is a small public institution. Electrician graduates of Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education earn a median of $35,016 early in their careers.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield landed the #25 spot for electrician value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students borrow a median of $15,842 to complete the electrician program here. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $41,399. That is a strong return on a $15,842 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for electrician this year:
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.