2026 Best Value Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

For return on investment in computer science, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $15,321 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for computer science. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $34,482. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $57,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $18,483 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #6 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,550 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $148,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

7

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $146,624. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

8

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino placed #8 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $17,020 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

9

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #9 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,399 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $199,761. That is a strong return on a $10,399 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

11

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $53,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

12

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,046. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

13

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $155,261 early in their careers. Set against $16,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $67,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #15 among the best values for computer science. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,619. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $95,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

16

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria placed #16 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

17

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University placed #17 among the best values for computer science. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $52,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

18

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $60,028. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $148,476. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

20

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #20 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

21

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

22

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,118 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $155,261. Set against $16,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

23

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,850. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $60,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

24

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #24 for value in computer science this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $30,301 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $97,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $59,374. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.