2026 Best Value Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools in California
[Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/diagnostic-medical-sonography-sonographer-and-ultrasound-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked Orange Coast College the best value for a degree in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician in California. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $68,484. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Merced College earned it the #2 place for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates is $11,150. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates of Merced College earn a median of $78,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,150 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician will find it at Cypress College, which ranked #3. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Foothill College earned it the #4 place for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $107,048. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cosumnes River College earned it the #5 place for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield landed the #6 spot for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $69,391. Set against $24,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Integrity College Of Health came in at #7 for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Integrity College Of Health is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates is $17,200. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Integrity College Of Health generally make around $51,193.
Central California School Of Continuing Education earned the #8 position for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Set in the city of San Luis Obispo, Central California School Of Continuing Education is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,895 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $6,126 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $32,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Healthcare Career College earned the #9 position for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Healthcare Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Paramount. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $19,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Healthcare Career College generally make around $23,601. That is a strong return on a $19,720 median debt.
Cbd College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Cbd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $20,702 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Cbd College generally make around $48,618. That is a strong return on a $20,702 median debt.
Modern Technology School landed the #11 spot for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician value this year. Modern Technology School is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fountain Valley. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concorde Career College San Diego ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools. Concorde Career College San Diego is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $50,059. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
American Medical Sciences Center earned the #13 position for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Set in the city of Glendale, American Medical Sciences Center is a small private for-profit institution. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $17,293 in student loans. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates of American Medical Sciences Center earn a median of $21,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,293 median debt.
Platt College Anaheim earned the #14 position for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Platt College Anaheim is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim. Students from in state pay about $14,847 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates is $20,132. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Platt College Anaheim generally make around $26,326. That is a strong return on a $20,132 median debt.
Central Coast College came in at #15 for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Central Coast College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Salinas. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $7,580 in student loans. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $31,707. Set against $7,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pci College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools. Located in the suburb of Cerritos, Pci College is a small private for-profit university. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $18,485 in student loans. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates of Pci College earn a median of $23,460 early in their careers. Set against $18,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Platt College Riverside ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools. Set in the city of Riverside, Platt College Riverside is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,847. Typical student debt for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates is $20,132. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $26,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Platt College Ontario came in at #18 for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Platt College Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. In-state tuition and fees average $14,847. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $20,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Platt College Ontario generally make around $26,326. That is a strong return on a $20,132 median debt.
Casa Loma College Van Nuys earned the #19 position for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Located in the city of Sherman Oaks, Casa Loma College Van Nuys is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $28,851 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Casa Loma College Van Nuys generally make around $58,306. Set against $28,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Casa Loma College Van Nuys admits about 43% of applicants.
Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician schools. Set in the city of San Jose, Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $17,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts generally make around $60,671. Set against $17,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Platt College Los Angeles earned the #21 position for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Located in the suburb of Alhambra, Platt College Los Angeles is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,847. Students borrow a median of $20,132 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates of Platt College Los Angeles earn a median of $26,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
High Desert Medical College placed #22 among the best values for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, High Desert Medical College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates is $25,256. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $24,546.
Ati College Norwalk landed the #23 spot for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician value this year. Ati College Norwalk is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Whitter. Typical student debt for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates is $19,949. Early-career diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician graduates make about $30,741. Set against $19,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North West College Santa Ana earned the #24 position for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. Located in the city of Anaheim, North West College Santa Ana is a small private for-profit university. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician graduates of North West College Santa Ana earn a median of $38,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National Polytechnic College earned the #25 position for value in diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year. National Polytechnic College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students borrow a median of $19,402 to complete the diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician program here. Soon after graduation, diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician degree recipients from National Polytechnic College generally make around $34,613. Set against $19,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for diagnostic medical sonography/sonographer and ultrasound technician this year:
More Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
