2026 Best Value Value Schools in California

1

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for value in California. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. Value graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $59,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #4. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Value graduates carry a median of $13,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,144. That is a strong return on a $13,300 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,813. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $51,008. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $64,423. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

7

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield came in at #7 for value in value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Value graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $77,004. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,598. Value graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $62,889 early in their careers. 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. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,492. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $71,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #11 spot for value value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. 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.

12

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for value 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,024. Early-career value graduates make about $85,122. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

Southwestern College Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College Chula Vista landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, while out-of-state students pay about $10,640. Value graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.

15

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,187. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

16

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,591. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $52,475. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

17

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #17 position for value in value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Value graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $56,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

18

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University came in at #18 for value in value this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA

Touro University Worldwide placed #19 among the best values for value. Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Alamitos. Students from in state pay about $14,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,289 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,841. Set against $32,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific placed #20 among the best values for value. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $66,784. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

21

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University placed #21 among the best values for value. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Value graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $54,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

22

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne placed #22 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,333. Value graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Set against $29,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

23

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #23 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $39,244. Early-career value graduates make about $74,317. Set against $39,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

24

National University
San Diego, CA

National University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $31,603 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from National University generally make around $75,141. That is a strong return on a $31,603 median debt.

25

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Aliso Viejo, CA

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,471. Early-career value graduates make about $70,199. Set against $27,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.