by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teaching Assistants](/majors/education/teaching-assistants-aides/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for teaching assistants students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teaching assistants, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Fresno City College, our #1 best value for teaching assistants in the Far Western Region. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching assistants, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in teaching assistants will find it at Ventura College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura 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. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching assistants schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Soon after graduation, teaching assistants degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Long Beach City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching assistants, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Chaffey College landed the #6 spot for teaching assistants value 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, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching assistants degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leeward Community College placed #7 among the best values for teaching assistants. Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pearl City. Students from in state pay about $3,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $10,776. Teaching Assistants graduates of Leeward Community College earn a median of $21,784 early in their careers. Set against $10,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
This list is compiled 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.