2023 Best Value 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 Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 152 schools in California to see which ones offered the best value 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.
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Top Value Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Santa Rosa Junior College the best value school in California for students working on their degree. Santa Rosa Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Santa Rosa, California that handed out 4,682 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SRJC are $8,952 per year. On average, students take out $13,715 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SRJC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $63,295 during the early year of their career.
SRJC also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Foothill College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Schools in California list. Located in Los Altos Hills, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,354 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Foothill College are $10,790 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,949 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Foothill College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $97,367 during the early year of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Foothill College also is in the top 10% of our Best Schools in California ranking.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Canada College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Canada College is a public institution located in Redwood City, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 844 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, students take out $13,439 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Canada College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $92,243 during the early years of their career.
Canada College also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Barbara City College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Schools in California list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school handed out 4,676 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SBCC are $8,912 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,628 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SBCC graduates make an average of $53,400 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, SBCC is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Schools in California list.
The excellent programs at Cuesta College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in California. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 5,491 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cuesta College are $8,702 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,466 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Cuesta College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,355 during the early years of their career.
Cuesta College also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Merced College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 2,930 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,785 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Merced Community College District graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,460 during the early year of their career.
Napa Valley College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Schools in California list. Napa Valley College is located in Napa, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,226 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Napa Valley College are $8,734 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,735 in student loans.After graduating from Napa Valley College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,681 during the early years of their career.
Cerritos College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Schools in California list. Cerritos College is a fairly large public school located in Norwalk, California that handed out 4,580 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cerritos College are $10,026 per year. On average, students take out $15,015 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Cerritos College graduates make an average of $46,868 annually.
Los Angeles City College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in California ranking. Los Angeles City College is a fairly large public school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 3,236 degrees 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. On average, students take out $14,713 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Los Angeles City College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $63,909 during the early years of their career.
Saddleback College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Mission Viejo, California, and it awarded 6,479 degrees in 2020-2021.
Saddleback College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,292 in tuition and fees each year. During the early years of their career, Saddleback College graduates make an average of $73,348 annually.
Moreno Valley College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in California ranking. Moreno Valley, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,153 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moreno Valley College are $10,120 a year. On average, students take out $14,896 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Moreno Valley College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,265 during the early years of their career.
Mendocino College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Mendocino College is located in Ukiah, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 657 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mendocino College are $8,443 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mendocino College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,370 during the early year of their career.
Palomar College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. This fairly large public school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 4,487 degrees in 2020-2021.
Palomar College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,940 in tuition and fees each year. Once they receive their degree, Palomar College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $77,544 during the early year of their career.
College of the Canyons ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Schools in California list. Santa Clarita, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,247 students 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. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,173 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, College of the Canyons graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,317 during the early year of their career.
Evergreen Valley College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Schools in California list. This medium-sized public school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 1,352 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,716 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Evergreen Valley College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,381 during the early year of their career.
Santa Ana College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in California ranking. SAC is a large public school situated in Santa Ana, California. It awarded 5,296 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SAC are $7,684 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,417 in student loans.After graduating from SAC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,118 during the early years of their career.
Butte College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Schools in California list. Butte College is a medium-sized public school situated in Oroville, California. It awarded 2,469 degrees in 2020-2021.
Butte College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,848 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,178 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Butte College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,786 during the early year of their career.
Coastline Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Coastline Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fountain Valley, California. It awarded 2,294 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Coastline Community College are $8,010 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,825 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Coastline Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,233 during the early year of their career.
East Los Angeles College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Schools in California list. Monterey Park, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 7,266 students in 2020-2021.
East Los Angeles College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,012 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,276 in student loans.After graduating from East Los Angeles College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,172 during the early years of their career.
Cypress College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. Cypress College is a public institution located in Cypress, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,424 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cypress College are $8,898 per year. During the early years of their career, Cypress College graduates make an average of $65,651 annually.
Sacramento City College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in California ranking. Sacramento City is located in Sacramento, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,638 degrees to qualified students.
Sacramento City undergraduate students pay an average of $10,168 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,875 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Sacramento City, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,334 during the early years of their career.
Riverside City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. Riverside City College is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,147 degrees in 2020-2021.
Riverside City College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,120 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,079 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Riverside City College graduates make an average of $29,562 annually.
San Jose City College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in San Jose, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,606 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jose City College are $9,486 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $9,887 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, San Jose City College graduates make an average of $33,557 annually.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Stockton, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,076 degrees in 2020-2021.
Delta undergraduate students pay an average of $9,072 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $13,629 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Delta graduates make an average of $31,671 annually.
Bakersfield College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 6,612 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bakersfield College are $9,380 per year. On average, students take out $15,475 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Bakersfield College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $74,197 during the early years of their career.
Best Value Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Southwestern College | Chula Vista, CA |
| 27 | Rio Hondo College | Whittier, CA |
| 28 | Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut, CA |
| 29 | Golden West College | Huntington Beach, CA |
| 30 | Shasta College | Redding, CA |
| 31 | City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
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.
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