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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 2023 rankings named Foothill College the best value school in California for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. 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.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Foothill College are $11,510 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,019 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Foothill College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Foothill College also took the #2 spot in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California rankings.
Out of the 46 schools in California that were part of this year’s value ranking, Modesto Junior College landed the # 2 spot on the 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.
MJC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,308 in tuition and fees each year.
MJC 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Shasta College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in California. This medium-sized public school is located in Redding, California, and it awarded 10 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Shasta College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,271 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Shasta College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Ana College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Santa Ana, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 7 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SAC are $8,788 a year.
One thing to take note of is that SAC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 41% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 46 schools in California that were part of this year’s value ranking, San Diego Mesa College landed the # 5 spot on the list. San Diego Mesa College is located in San Diego, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 34 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Diego Mesa College are $7,440 per year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since San Diego Mesa College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #6, California State University Maritime Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Cal Maritime is a very small public school situated in Vallejo, California. It awarded 214 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Cal Maritime undergraduate students pay an average of $18,996 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,657 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cal Maritime does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 25% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on California State University Maritime Academy
United States University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. This small private for-profit school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 47 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
USU undergraduate students pay an average of $6,200 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, USU is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
California State University - Long Beach ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 9,259 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
CSULB undergraduate students pay an average of $18,764 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 $16,381 in student loans.
CSULB does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on California State University - Long Beach
With a ranking of #9, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school located in Pomona, California that handed out 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.
One thing to take note of is that Cal Poly Pomona does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, Cal Poly Pomona is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list.
California State University - Channel Islands landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. CSUCI is a public institution located in Camarillo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,895 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSUCI are $18,697 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,928 in student loans.
Online courses are available at CSUCI, 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, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #11, San Diego State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 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.
SDSU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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 excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list.
California State University - Fresno ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Located in Fresno, California, the large public school handed out 5,191 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Fresno State are $18,543 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $17,135 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Fresno State. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
California State University - East Bay came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,876 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cal State East Bay are $18,875 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,431 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Cal State East Bay 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 2020-2021 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, California State University - Chico did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Chico, California, the fairly large public school handed out 4,117 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Chico State are $19,852 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,500 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Chico State. 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 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 #15 on the list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 7,486 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Sac State are $19,364 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,817 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Sac State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on California State University - Sacramento
California State University - Stanislaus 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 #16 on the list. Located in Turlock, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,553 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Stan State are $19,614 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,229 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Stan State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
San Francisco State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. San Francisco State University is a large public school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 6,087 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
SFSU undergraduate students pay an average of $19,404 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,707 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SFSU. During the 2020-2021 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
California State University - Northridge came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,364 bachelor’s degrees 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CSUN. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,761 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CSUDH are $18,940 per 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CSUDH. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - Fullerton came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. This large public school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 9,717 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cal State Fullerton are $18,887 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,465 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cal State Fullerton does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,838 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CSUSB does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
California State University - Los Angeles landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school handed out 5,252 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cal State LA are $18,685 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,125 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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. In 2020-2021 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
San Jose State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 7,362 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jose State are $19,779 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at San Jose State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Phoenix - California 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 #24 on the 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.
UOPX - California undergraduate students pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $38,005 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UOPX - California. In fact, around 42% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The University of Arizona Global Campus landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 6,531 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UAGC are $13,160 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,903 in student loans.
UAGC is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
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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