by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer science schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat Union County College this year. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,218. Early-career computer science graduates make about $38,168. Set against $14,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at County College Of Morris, which ranked #2. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $9,420. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,966. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #3 place for computer science. 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. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,888. Early-career computer science graduates make about $146,624. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned it the #4 place for computer science. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,770. Early-career computer science graduates make about $64,598. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned it the #5 place for computer science. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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Rowan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $86,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rider University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $48,601. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University earned the #8 position for value in computer science this year. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $47,100. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $47,689. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $102,401. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
