2026 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
[Physical Fitness Technician](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-fitness-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical fitness technician education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 61 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical fitness technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical fitness technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for physical fitness technician in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical fitness technician will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #2. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for physical fitness technician. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #4 place for physical fitness technician. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical fitness technician, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $14,308. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $9,776. Physical Fitness Technician 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.
Moreno Valley College placed #9 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $12,643. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #10 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #11 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $9,191. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #12 position for value in physical fitness technician 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. Students borrow a median of $6,865 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $19,869. That is a strong return on a $6,865 median debt.
Gavilan College earned the #13 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $11,196. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Riverside City College placed #15 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $8,046 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $25,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College placed #16 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Solano Community College placed #17 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $10,500. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $14,122. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #19 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Orange Coast College came in at #20 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College landed the #21 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $12,733. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River 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 $14,105 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #23 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $14,692. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #24 for value in physical fitness technician 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. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College came in at #25 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical fitness technician value ranking:
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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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
