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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

2 Colleges in the United States
$11,795 Avg Student Debt
$42,074 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Associate's Degree Badge [Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/water-quality-and-wastewater-treatment-management-and-recycling-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 81 schools to find the best return on investment for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Schools

1

For return on investment in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician, no school beat Santiago Canyon College this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

3
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #4 place for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

5
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gavilan College earned it the #5 place for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.

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Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College placed #6 among the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.

7
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College placed #7 among the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.

8

Macomb Community College placed #8 among the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates is $9,862. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.

9

Central Carolina Technical College placed #9 among the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,715, compared with $9,016 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Early-career water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician graduates make about $40,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Cuyamaca College crest
Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CA

Cuyamaca College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,346, with out-of-state students paying around $11,314. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,435.

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San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College earned the #11 position for value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.

12

Mt San Jacinto Community College District landed the #12 spot for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $37,488. Set against $8,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Capital Community College placed #13 among the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology placed #14 among the best values for water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $40,859. Set against $9,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

15

Los Angeles Trade Technical College earned the #15 position for value in water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, water quality & wastewater treatment management & recycling technology/technician degree recipients from Los Angeles Trade Technical College generally make around $43,340. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Other Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician
Bachelor's Degrees in Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician
Master's Degrees in Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician
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View All Water Quality & Wastewater Treatment Management & Recycling Technology/Technician Rankings >

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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 · 81 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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