2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in California
[Laboratory Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for laboratory technician students.
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of The Canyons the best value for a degree in laboratory technician in California. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. 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 laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for laboratory technician. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Folsom Lake College earned it the #4 place for laboratory technician. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory technician will find it at De Anza College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,344, while out-of-state students pay about $10,640. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,205. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merritt College placed #7 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Oakland, Merritt College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,392 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
