[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1091 schools to find the best return on investment for computer science students.
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Information Technology - Software Application Development" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Information Technology - Software Application Development" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Computer Information Systems" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BS in Computer Information Systems" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 12
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 8 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 8
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 3 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Finding the Best Value Computer Science School for You
Where you study computer science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Computer Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Computer Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,250. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $76,747 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes De Anza College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for computer science. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for computer science. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $63,632. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,623. Computer Science graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $83,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
College Of San Mateo placed #6 among the best values for computer science. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,098. Computer Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for computer science value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Renton Technical College earned the #14 position for value in computer science this year. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #15 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #16 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,500. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
South Texas College landed the #17 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College placed #19 among the best values for computer science. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $9,742 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $13,303. Early-career computer science graduates make about $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #21 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,317 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $59,516. Set against $13,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Irvine Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer science:
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 · 1091 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 405 ranked schools only.
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).
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
