2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Far Western Region

1

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

For return on investment in computer science, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.

2

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for computer science. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the computer science program here. 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.

3

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

4

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.

5

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career computer science graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.

7

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College came in at #7 for value in computer science this year. 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, 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.

8

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College came in at #9 for value in computer science this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College earned the #10 position for value in computer science this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #11 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College placed #13 among the best values for computer science. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.

14

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College came in at #14 for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College came in at #15 for value in computer science this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $5,500. Early-career computer science graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #16 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,750. Computer Science graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $34,482 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

17

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College earned the #17 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

18

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #18 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. 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. Computer Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College placed #20 among the best values for computer science. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,321 to complete the computer science program here. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

22

Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA

Folsom Lake College earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. 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.

23

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.

24

Renton Technical College
Renton, WA

Renton Technical College landed the #24 spot for computer science value this year. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,767. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.