by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer programming education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 489 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer programming students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools in the United States. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $19,500. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $15,138. General Computer Programming graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,138 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #4 spot this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $15,154. General Computer Programming graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #5 spot this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,191. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
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Mt San Antonio College came in at #6 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #7 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #8 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $17,655. General Computer Programming graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College placed #9 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $7,769. General Computer Programming graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
De Anza College came in at #10 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #11 among the best values for general computer programming. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #13 spot for general computer programming value this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #14 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Gavilan College landed the #15 spot for general computer programming value this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College placed #16 among the best values for general computer programming. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
El Centro College landed the #17 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $21,908 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $53,830. That is a strong return on a $21,908 median debt.
Alvin Community College earned the #18 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College came in at #19 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $8,542. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Hartnell College earned the #20 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $14,636. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $33,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #22 position for value in general computer programming this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #23 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $12,651. General Computer Programming graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #25 position for value in general computer programming this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general computer programming:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Computer Programming rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 489 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.