by our College Data Analytics Team
[Environmental Control Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools to find the best return on investment for environmental control technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in environmental control technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Oxnard College tops our 2026 list of the best value environmental control technology schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for environmental control technology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Environmental Control Technology graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Environmental Control Technology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental control technology, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for environmental control technology graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, environmental control technology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #4 place for environmental control technology. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the environmental control technology program here. Environmental Control Technology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Santiago Canyon College one of the best values for environmental control technology. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the environmental control technology program here. Early-career environmental control technology graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
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Mt San Antonio College placed #6 among the best values for environmental control technology. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Environmental Control Technology graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Environmental Control Technology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College earned the #7 position for value in environmental control technology this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Environmental Control Technology graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Environmental Control Technology 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.
Ventura College earned the #8 position for value in environmental control technology this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the environmental control technology program here. Early-career environmental control technology graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Gavilan College placed #9 among the best values for environmental control technology. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the environmental control technology program here. Soon after graduation, environmental control technology degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental control technology schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Riverside City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental control technology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Environmental Control Technology graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career environmental control technology graduates make about $48,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College placed #12 among the best values for environmental control technology. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the environmental control technology program here. Soon after graduation, environmental control technology degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental control technology schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Environmental Control Technology graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Environmental Control Technology graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #14 among the best values for environmental control technology. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Merced College landed the #15 spot for environmental control technology value this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Typical student debt for environmental control technology graduates is $9,024. Environmental Control Technology 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.
Orange Coast College placed #16 among the best values for environmental control technology. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the environmental control technology program here. Soon after graduation, environmental control technology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College landed the #17 spot for environmental control technology value this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Woodland Community College came in at #18 for value in environmental control technology this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $7,656. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,042 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #19 spot for environmental control technology value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for environmental control technology graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, environmental control technology degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College placed #20 among the best values for environmental control technology. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental control technology graduates is $9,419. Environmental Control Technology graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Palomar College landed the #21 spot for environmental control technology value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
El Camino Community College District came in at #22 for value in environmental control technology this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Chaffey College came in at #23 for value in environmental control technology this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental control technology graduates is $6,952. Early-career environmental control technology graduates make about $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyamaca College landed the #24 spot for environmental control technology value this year. Cuyamaca College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,346, with out-of-state students paying around $11,314. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,435.
Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #25 for value in environmental control technology this year. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the environmental control technology program here. Early-career environmental control technology graduates make about $52,785. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s environmental control technology value ranking:
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This list is compiled 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.