2023 Best Value Basic Certificate 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.
The Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 82 schools in California to see which ones offered the best value basic certificate programs for students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
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.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Value Basic Certificate Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Santa Barbara City College the best value school in California for students working on their basic certificate. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school handed out 132 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SBCC are $8,912 per year.
SBCC 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 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, SBCC is ranked #2 for overall quality in California.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Merced College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Merced Community College District is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 222 basic certificates 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Merced Community College District. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Merced Community College District is ranked #3 for overall quality in California.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Crafton Hills College is a great place for students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Yucaipa, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 239 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CHC are $8,498 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CHC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 47% 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, CHC is ranked #4 for overall quality in California.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cuesta College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 1,832 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cuesta College are $8,702 per year.
Online courses are available at Cuesta College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Cuesta College is ranked #5 for overall quality in California.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Moreno Valley College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in California. Moreno Valley College is a public institution located in Moreno Valley, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 401 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Moreno Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,120 in tuition and fees each year.
Moreno Valley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 36% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Moreno Valley College also claimed a spot on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. SRJC is a public institution located in Santa Rosa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,481 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SRJC are $8,952 per year.
SRJC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
SRJC also claimed a spot on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
San Diego City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 106 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
San Diego City College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,512 in tuition and fees each year.
San Diego City 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 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, San Diego City College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list.
Napa Valley College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Napa Valley College is a public institution located in Napa, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Napa Valley College are $8,734 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Napa Valley College. In fact, around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Napa Valley College also claimed a spot on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #9, Butte College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their basic certificate. Butte College is a medium-sized public school located in Oroville, California that handed out 824 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Butte College are $7,848 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Butte College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Butte College also did well on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Los Angeles City College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 807 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Los Angeles City College are $9,012 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Los Angeles City College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
In addition to its great value ranking, Los Angeles City College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list.
Canada College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Located in Redwood City, California, the small public school handed out 101 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Canada College are $9,006 per year.
Canada College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list.
Cerritos College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Cerritos College is a fairly large public school located in Norwalk, California that handed out 2,097 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cerritos College are $10,026 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cerritos College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its great value ranking, Cerritos College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list.
Coastline Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Fountain Valley, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 519 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Coastline Community College are $8,010 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Coastline Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Coastline Community College also did well on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Palomar College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. Palomar College is located in San Marcos, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 639 basic certificates to qualified students.
Palomar College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,940 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that Palomar College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Foothill College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Foothill College is located in Los Altos Hills, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 336 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Foothill College are $10,790 a year.
Foothill 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 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Moorpark College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their basic certificate. Moorpark, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 496 students in 2020-2021.
Moorpark College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,398 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Moorpark College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Santa Ana College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #17 on the list. Santa Ana College is a large public school located in Santa Ana, California that handed out 1,389 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
SAC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,684 in tuition and fees each year.
SAC 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 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Yuba College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Located in Marysville, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 270 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Yuba College are $7,488 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Yuba College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
Gavilan College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Gavilan College is located in Gilroy, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 561 basic certificates to qualified students.
Gavilan College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,214 in tuition and fees each year.
Gavilan College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cabrillo College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Cabrillo College is a medium-sized public school located in Aptos, California that handed out 431 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cabrillo College are $8,630 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cabrillo College. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of the Canyons did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Santa Clarita, California, the fairly large public school awarded 510 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
College of the Canyons undergraduate students pay an average of $8,682 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at College of the Canyons. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #21, Victor Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their basic certificate. Victor Valley College is a public institution located in Victorville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 975 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Victor Valley College are $9,374 per year.
Online courses are available at Victor Valley 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 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
City College of San Francisco ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in California list. City College of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,013 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at City College of San Francisco are $8,704 a year.
Online courses are available at City College of San Francisco, 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 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #24, Bakersfield College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their basic certificate. Located in Bakersfield, California, the large public school awarded 521 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bakersfield College are $9,380 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Bakersfield College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #25, Saddleback College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their basic certificate. This fairly large public school is located in Mission Viejo, California, and it awarded 794 basic certificates 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Best Value Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >
More California Rankings
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.