2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in California
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 84 schools in California to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Santa Rosa Junior College to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. Located in Santa Rosa, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,441 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SRJC are $8,952 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,716 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SRJC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, SRJC is ranked #2 for overall quality in California.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Canada College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in California list. This small public school is located in Redwood City, California, and it awarded 607 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Canada College are $9,006 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,439 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Canada College also made our Best Associate Degree Schools in California list, coming in at #3.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Foothill College is a great place for students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Foothill College is located in Los Altos Hills, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,228 associate degrees to qualified students.
Foothill College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,790 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,391 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Foothill College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 83% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Foothill College also took the #4 spot in our Best Associate Degree Schools in California rankings.
The excellent associate degree programs at Santa Barbara City College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in California. SBCC is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,238 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
SBCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,912 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,459 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SBCC. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, SBCC also is in the top 10% of our Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Merced College is a great place for students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Merced Community College District is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 1,667 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Merced Community College District are $7,444 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,503 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Merced Community College District also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Located in Mission Viejo, California, the fairly large public school awarded 3,190 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Saddleback College are $10,292 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Saddleback College. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Saddleback College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Gavilan College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Gavilan College is a small public school situated in Gilroy, California. It awarded 594 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Gavilan College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,214 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,308 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Gavilan College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
Gavilan College also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #8, Yuba College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Marysville, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 907 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Yuba College are $7,488 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $9,195 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Yuba College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Yuba College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Los Angeles Valley College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. This fairly large public school is located in Valley Glen, California, and it awarded 1,892 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LAVC are $9,012 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,856 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LAVC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
LAVC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Schools in California list.
Mendocino College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Mendocino College is a public institution located in Ukiah, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 483 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mendocino College are $8,443 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Mendocino College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Mendocino College also is in the top 20% of our Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking.
Cuesta College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in California list. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 1,403 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cuesta College are $8,702 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,466 in student loans.
Cuesta College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cuesta College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Schools in California list.
With a ranking of #12, Napa Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Napa, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 730 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Napa Valley College are $8,734 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,735 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Napa Valley College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Napa Valley College also is in the top 20% of our Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking.
With a ranking of #13, Cerritos College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Cerritos College is a fairly large public school situated in Norwalk, California. It awarded 2,342 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cerritos College are $10,026 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,554 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cerritos College. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Cerritos College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
With a ranking of #14, College of the Canyons did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Santa Clarita, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,200 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at College of the Canyons are $8,682 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,439 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at College of the Canyons, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
San Jose City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in San Jose, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 969 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at San Jose City College are $9,486 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,005 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at San Jose City College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Evergreen Valley College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Evergreen Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 1,046 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Evergreen Valley College are $8,286 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,716 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Evergreen Valley College. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #17, Moorpark College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Moorpark College is a fairly large public school situated in Moorpark, California. It awarded 3,337 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Moorpark College are $7,398 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Moorpark College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Los Angeles City College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Los Angeles City College is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,597 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Los Angeles City College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,012 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,549 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Los Angeles City College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
Moreno Valley College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Moreno Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Moreno Valley, California. It awarded 1,595 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moreno Valley College are $10,120 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,506 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Moreno Valley College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 36% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Los Angeles Harbor College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Located in Wilmington, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,134 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LAHC are $9,012 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,073 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LAHC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwestern College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Located in Chula Vista, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,164 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
SWC Chula Vista undergraduate students pay an average of $9,434 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,239 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
SWC Chula Vista does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
College of Marin ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in Kentfield, California, the small public school awarded 365 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at College of Marin are $9,864 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,546 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since College of Marin does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 28% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Riverside City College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school located in Riverside, California that handed out 4,223 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Riverside City College are $10,120 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,247 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Riverside City College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 37% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bakersfield College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Bakersfield College is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,389 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Bakersfield College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,380 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,475 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Bakersfield College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Santa Monica College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Santa Monica, California, the large public school handed out 3,921 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
SMC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,090 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,428 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SMC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Value Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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