2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California

1

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

Our analysis ranked San Diego Miramar College the best value for a degree in computer science in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

3

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the best values for computer science. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.

4

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the computer science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

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. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.

6

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #6 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College earned the #7 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the computer science program here. 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.

8

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.

9

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

10

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias placed #10 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,288. 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.

11

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College earned the #11 position for value in computer science this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #12 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $5,500. Computer Science graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College landed the #14 spot for computer science value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.

15

Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. 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, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College earned the #17 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the computer science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.

19

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #19 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the computer science program here. 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.

20

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College came in at #20 for value in computer science this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA

Folsom Lake College came in at #21 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.

22

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles placed #22 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,321 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

23

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

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

24

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College placed #24 among the best values for computer science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,767. Computer Science graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.

25

Las Positas College
Livermore, CA

Las Positas College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.