2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Value graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $36,626. That is a strong return on a $13,273 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Value graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $66,365. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $59,179. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

4

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,300. Value graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $49,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,300 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

5

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,008. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $64,423 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for value graduates is $37,500. Early-career value graduates make about $77,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $62,889. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #10 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Value graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Value graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $63,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

12

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,073. Value graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $84,881 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Value graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Alaska Southeast generally make around $56,741. That is a strong return on a $20,458 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

14

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #14 position for value in value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Value graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Value graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $85,122 early in their careers. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

15

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #15 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Value graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $70,392. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

16

Southwestern College Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,344, compared with $10,640 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,358. Set against $11,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University came in at #17 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,475. Early-career value graduates make about $73,655. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

18

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #18 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Value graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii West Oahu admits about 95% of applicants.

19

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #19 for value in value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #20 among the best values for value. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

21

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,591. Early-career value graduates make about $52,475. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,918. Early-career value graduates make about $50,691. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

23

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #23 among the best values for value. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $56,415. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

24

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University placed #24 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Value graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

25

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon came in at #25 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Students borrow a median of $16,166 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $39,365. Set against $16,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.