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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools

345 Colleges in the United States
$22,936 Avg Student Debt
$60,723 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Badge [Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 1091 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer science schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Computer Science Schools

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in computer science, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $76,747. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $13,500. 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.

3
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,623 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $83,258. That is a strong return on a $8,623 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for computer science. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $57,307. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

5

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $13,317. 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

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Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $7,821 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

7

California State University Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,321. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $44,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

8

California State University Dominguez Hills placed #8 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,750. Early-career computer science graduates make about $34,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

9

California State University Northridge landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,483 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $62,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

10
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #10 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $146,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

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California State University San Bernardino landed the #11 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,846. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

Florida Polytechnic University placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Florida Polytechnic University is a small public school located in the rural area of Lakeland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Florida Polytechnic University generally make around $64,823. Florida Polytechnic University admits about 58% of applicants.

13

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #13 position for value in computer science this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,046 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $45,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

14

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology came in at #14 for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,747. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $64,561. That is a strong return on a $18,747 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

15

California State University Bakersfield landed the #15 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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16

California State University Stanislaus landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $13,000. Computer Science graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

17
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #17 among the best values for computer science. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,399. Computer Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $138,613 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

18

University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $16,118 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $128,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,118 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of California San Diego placed #19 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,550 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $112,006. Set against $16,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

20

California State University Long Beach ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,619 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $60,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

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21

California State University Fresno landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $53,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,775 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

22

The University Of West Florida ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

23

Farmingdale State College landed the #23 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $50,374. That is a strong return on a $19,528 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

24

Utah Valley University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $24,725 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $77,946 early in their careers. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,573. Early-career computer science graduates make about $36,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer science:

26
27
28
Western Governors University crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
29
30
31
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
32
33
34
35
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
36
37
38
39
40
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42
43
44
45
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA
46
47
48
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Best Value Computer Science Schools

These schools also placed among the best values for computer science this year:

Rank College Location
#51 University Of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Full Report
#52 University Of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Full Report

Honorable Mentions

A few more high-value computer science schools worth a look:

Rank College Location
#53 Purdue University Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Full Report
#54 San Jose State University San Jose, CA Full Report
#55 University Of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA Full Report
#56 Arizona State University Tempe, AZ Full Report
#57 University Of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Full Report
#58 Murray State University Murray, KY Full Report
#59 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Full Report
#60 University Of Nebraska At Omaha Omaha, NE Full Report
#61 Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Full Report
#62 Louisiana State University Alexandria Alexandria, LA Full Report
#63 University Of Minnesota Morris Morris, MN Full Report
#64 University Of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC Full Report
#65 University Of Arkansas Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR Full Report
#66 University Of Wyoming Laramie, WY Full Report
#67 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA Full Report
#68 University Of California Riverside Riverside, CA Full Report
#69 Brigham Young University Provo Provo, UT Full Report

Other Computer Science Degree Levels

Explore the best-value computer science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Computer Science
Associate's Degrees in Computer Science
Master's Degrees in Computer Science
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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 345 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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