by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1091 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
De Anza College earned the #1 spot for value among computer science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Computer Science 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for computer science. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, 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.
College Of San Mateo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #4 place for computer science. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,323. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the computer science program here. 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 landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. 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 placed #11 among the best values for computer science. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
South Texas College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $6,868. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $6,999. Computer Science graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #16 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $9,742 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $38,734. Set against $9,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #17 among the best values for computer science. 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, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #19 position for value in computer science this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #20 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the computer science program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #21 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #23 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $24,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #24 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Santa Ana College landed the #25 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science value ranking:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Computer Science 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 · 1091 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.