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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

7 Colleges in the United States
$17,077 Avg Student Debt
$48,627 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Badge [General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer programming students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Computer Programming Schools

1

Leading the list is Cuny College Of Staten Island, our #1 best value for general computer programming in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

2

Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #2 spot this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.

3
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Community College Of Allegheny County one of the best values for general computer programming. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $22,203 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $42,640. That is a strong return on a $22,203 median debt.

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6

Farmingdale State College placed #6 among the best values for general computer programming. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $45,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

7

Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #7 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.

8

Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #8 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $14,450. General Computer Programming graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.

9
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University earned the #9 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10

South Hills School Of Business And Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the city of State College, South Hills School Of Business And Technology is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,905. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $18,459. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,539 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,459 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

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11
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College placed #11 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,620. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $60,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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