College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Schools for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region for Associate Degrees

158 Colleges
$6,929 Avg Net Price (With Aid)*
73% Discount Rate*

When pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking. This list may shock you as many typically expensive schools are very generous with need-based financial aid.

See What's Included in This Value Report:

Choosing the Best School for You

After analyzing 158 schools in the Far Western US Region , we came up with our list of those that offered the best value Associate Degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best value schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.

Our Methodology

When determining the value of a school in our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking, we first look at its average net price, which is defined as the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that the student receives. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.

To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

To learn more, visit our best value ranking methodology page.

Additional Rankings

Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.

Without Aid Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Associate Degrees
Want to see the list of best value schools for families with specific income levels or whether or not aid is being applied? Click on one of the tiles above. Are you more interested in the best value schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.

Best Value Associate Degree Schools (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

Golden West College tops this year’s ranking as the best value (with aid) school for associate degrees in the Far Western US Region for overall quality. Huntington Beach, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Golden West College is ranked #2 for quality in the state of California. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $5,433 a year.

Read full value report on Golden West College

2
SWC Chula Vista crest
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California

The quality degree programs at Southwestern College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region. SWC Chula Vista is a fairly large public school situated in Chula Vista, California.

Not only is Southwestern College a great value, but it is also ranked #4 in California for overall quality. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $6,789 a year.

Full Southwestern College Value Report

3
Honolulu CC crest
Honolulu Community College
Honolulu, Hawaii

Out of the 158 associate degree schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Honolulu Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Honolulu CC is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and has a small student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Honolulu Community College is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Hawaii. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $7,713 a year.

Read full value report on Honolulu Community College

4
Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute crest
Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham, Washington

A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list means Bellingham Technical College is a great place for students working on their degree. Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute is a small public school situated in Bellingham, Washington.

Not only is Bellingham Technical College a great value, but it is also ranked #4 in Washington for overall quality. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $3,799.

Read full value report on Bellingham Technical College

5
Pasadena City College crest
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California

Out of the 158 associate degree schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Pasadena City College landed the #5 spot on the list. Pasadena City College is a public institution located in Pasadena, California.

Not only is Pasadena City College a great value, but it is also ranked #10 in California for overall quality. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $6,466.

Full Pasadena City College Value Report

6
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California

With a ranking of #6, Saddleback College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Mission Viejo, California.

Saddleback College has the honor of being ranked #6 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $7,918.

Full Saddleback College Value Report

7
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, California

Moreno Valley College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Moreno Valley, California, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Moreno Valley College is ranked #32 for quality in the state of California. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $4,899.

Learn More About Value at Moreno Valley College

8
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

Ventura College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Ventura College is ranked #44 for quality in the state of California. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $3,971 a year.

Learn More About Value at Ventura College

9
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. Fresno City College is a large public school located in Fresno, California.

Fresno City College has the honor of being ranked #25 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $6,391.

Learn More About Value at Fresno City College

10
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

National University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking. National University is located in La Jolla, California and has a fairly large student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Not only is National University a great value, but it is also ranked #3 in California for overall quality. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $9,966 a year.

Read full value report on National University

11
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. Mt. SAC is located in Walnut, California and has a large student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Mt. San Antonio College is ranked #30 for quality in the state of California. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $5,774.

Full Mt. San Antonio College Value Report

12
CPTC crest
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, Washington

Clover Park Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. CPTC is a public institution located in Lakewood, Washington.

Clover Park Technical College has the honor of being ranked #1 in Washington for overall quality on top of being a good value. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $8,701.

Full Clover Park Technical College Value Report

13
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, California

West Valley College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. Saratoga, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, West Valley College is ranked #21 for quality in the state of California. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $6,890 a year.

Read full value report on West Valley College

14
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #14. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Clarita, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, College of the Canyons is ranked #28 for quality in the state of California. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $6,400.

Learn More About Value at College of the Canyons

15
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California

Foothill College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Foothill College is a fairly large public school situated in Los Altos Hills, California.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Foothill College is ranked #5 for quality in the state of California. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $9,820 a year.

Learn More About Value at Foothill College

15
Riverside City College crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

With a ranking of #15, Riverside City College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Riverside City College has the honor of being ranked #23 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $7,161 a year.

Full Riverside City College Value Report

17
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

Orange Coast College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #17. Orange Coast College is a public institution located in Costa Mesa, California.

Orange Coast College has the honor of being ranked #27 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $6,836 a year.

Learn More About Value at Orange Coast College

18
CSN crest
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada

With a ranking of #18, College of Southern Nevada did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. This large public school is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, College of Southern Nevada is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Nevada. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $7,773 a year.

Read full value report on College of Southern Nevada

19
IVC crest
Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

Imperial Valley College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking. IVC is located in Imperial, California and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.

Imperial Valley College has the honor of being ranked #73 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $2,300 a year.

Learn More About Value at Imperial Valley College

20
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

With a ranking of #20, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. SRJC is located in Santa Rosa, California and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Santa Rosa Junior College a great value, but it is also ranked #8 in California for overall quality. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $9,220.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Value Report

21
Portland Community College crest
Portland Community College
Portland, Oregon

Portland Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Portland Community College is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Portland Community College is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Oregon. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $9,922 a year.

Read full value report on Portland Community College

22
SAC crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #22. Santa Ana College is a large public school located in Santa Ana, California.

Not only is Santa Ana College a great value, but it is also ranked #39 in California for overall quality. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $6,351 a year.

Read full value report on Santa Ana College

23
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, California

With a ranking of #23, Grossmont College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. El Cajon, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Grossmont College is ranked #43 for quality in the state of California. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $5,999.

Full Grossmont College Value Report

24
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California

Sacramento City College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region list. Sacramento City is a fairly large public school situated in Sacramento, California.

Sacramento City College has the honor of being ranked #26 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $7,788 a year.

Learn More About Value at Sacramento City College

25
Coastline Community College crest
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, California

Coastline Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking. Coastline Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fountain Valley, California.

Coastline Community College has the honor of being ranked #13 in California for overall quality on top of being a good value. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $8,953.

Learn More About Value at Coastline Community College

View Best Value Associate Degree Schools (With Aid) Nationwide >

All Majors and Fields of Study >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in the Far Western US Region ranking:

Rank College Location Value
26 MiraCosta College Oceanside, CA Value Report
27 Yuba College Marysville, CA Value Report
28 Moorpark College Moorpark, CA Value Report
29 Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA Value Report
30 Canada College Redwood City, CA Value Report
31 Cypress College Cypress, CA Value Report
32 Cerritos College Norwalk, CA Value Report
32 Renton Technical College Renton, WA Value Report

More Rankings >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options