2023 Best Value Trade School Bachelor's Degree Schools in California
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
The Best Value Trade School Bachelor's Degree Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 46 schools in California to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for trade school 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. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Foothill College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in California. Los Altos Hills, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 76 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Foothill College are $11,510 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $14,019 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Foothill College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Foothill College also took the #2 spot in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California rankings.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Modesto Junior College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. MJC is located in Modesto, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MJC are $7,308 a year.
One thing to take note of is that MJC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Shasta College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Located in Redding, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 10 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Shasta College are $8,271 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Shasta College. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Santa Ana College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in California. Located in Santa Ana, California, the large public school handed out 7 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SAC are $8,788 a 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 41% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at San Diego Mesa College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in California. This fairly large public school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 34 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
San Diego Mesa College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,440 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at San Diego Mesa College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
California State University Maritime Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. This very small public school is located in Vallejo, California, and it awarded 214 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cal Maritime are $18,996 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $25,657 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cal Maritime does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 25% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on California State University Maritime Academy
With a ranking of #7, United States University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in San Diego, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 47 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at USU are $6,200 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, USU is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9,259 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
CSULB undergraduate students pay an average of $18,764 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,381 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CSULB. During the 2020-2021 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,364 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cal Poly Pomona are $19,319 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,594 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cal Poly Pomona. During the 2020-2021 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Cal Poly Pomona also is in the top 20% of our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California ranking.
Read full report on California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
California State University - Channel Islands landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in Camarillo, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,895 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSUCI are $18,697 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,928 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CSUCI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
San Diego State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. San Diego State University is a large public school located in San Diego, California that handed out 8,969 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
SDSU undergraduate students pay an average of $20,054 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,840 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SDSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
SDSU also claimed a spot on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
California State University - Fresno landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,191 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Fresno State are $18,543 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,135 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 Fresno State does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
California State University - East Bay landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,876 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cal State East Bay are $18,875 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,431 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Cal State East Bay. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
California State University - Chico ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school located in Chico, California that handed out 4,117 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Chico State are $19,852 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $17,500 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Chico State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
California State University - Sacramento ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,486 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Sac State undergraduate students pay an average of $19,364 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,817 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Sac State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.
California State University - Stanislaus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,553 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Stan State undergraduate students pay an average of $19,614 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,229 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Stan State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on California State University - Stanislaus
With a ranking of #17, San Francisco State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 6,087 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
SFSU undergraduate students pay an average of $19,404 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,707 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SFSU. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
California State University - Northridge ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Located in Northridge, California, the large public school awarded 9,364 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSUN are $18,949 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,691 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CSUN. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on California State University - Northridge
California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,761 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
CSUDH undergraduate students pay an average of $18,940 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,788 in student loans.
CSUDH does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on California State University - Dominguez Hills
With a ranking of #20, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 9,717 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Cal State Fullerton undergraduate students pay an average of $18,887 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,465 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Cal State Fullerton. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in San Bernardino, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,795 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
CSUSB undergraduate students pay an average of $19,366 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,838 in student loans.
CSUSB does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
California State University - Los Angeles landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. This large public school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 5,252 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cal State LA are $18,685 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,125 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cal State LA does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #23, San Jose State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,362 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
San Jose State undergraduate students pay an average of $19,779 in tuition and fees each year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at San Jose State. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Phoenix - California ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. University of Phoenix - California is a very small private for-profit school located in Ontario, California that handed out 485 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UOPX - California are $9,552 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,005 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UOPX - California. In 2020-2021 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #25, The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. This large private for-profit school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 6,531 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UAGC are $13,160 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $32,903 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Since UAGC is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
UAGC also claimed a spot on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Best Value Trade Bachelor's 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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