by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer programming education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 110 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer programming students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among computer programming schools in the Far Western Region. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the computer programming program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Grossmont College one of the best values for 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for computer programming. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Reedley College one of the best values for computer programming. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
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Clover Park Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College placed #7 among the best values for computer programming. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College placed #9 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College placed #10 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College came in at #11 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College earned the #12 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
De Anza College landed the #13 spot for computer programming value 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, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College landed the #14 spot for computer programming value this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College placed #15 among the best values for computer programming. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #16 position for value in computer programming this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $8,978. Computer Programming graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Sierra College came in at #18 for value in computer programming this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #19 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College earned the #20 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Diablo Valley College placed #21 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $9,205. Computer Programming graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #22 spot for computer programming value this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #23 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $14,699. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College placed #24 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miracosta College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer programming:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.