by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for computer science students.
What’s on this page:
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 Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned it the #4 place for computer science. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,867. Early-career computer science graduates make about $41,382. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $28,375. Early-career computer science graduates make about $35,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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Pennsylvania Western University came in at #6 for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #7 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,977. Computer Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $77,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $67,310. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Central Pennsylvania College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Summerdale, Central Pennsylvania College is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,854 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $42,163 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $49,718. That is a strong return on a $42,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 18%.
La Salle University placed #10 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Early-career computer science graduates make about $70,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Allegheny College earned the #11 position for value in computer science this year. Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $58,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College landed the #12 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Juniata College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntingdon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,580. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,552. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Juniata College admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #14 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,977. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $77,599. That is a strong return on a $26,977 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #15 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $52,133. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Muhlenberg College landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $35,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Gettysburg College earned the #17 position for value in computer science this year. Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. In-state tuition and fees average $66,640. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $74,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gettysburg College admits about 39% of applicants.
Ursinus College landed the #18 spot for computer science value this year. Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,061. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Ursinus College earn a median of $36,805 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ursinus College admits about 92% of applicants.
South Hills School Of Business And Technology came in at #19 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of State College, South Hills School Of Business And Technology is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,905 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,459 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,539. That is a strong return on a $18,459 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $122,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Widener University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Computer Science graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $51,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,442 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $171,264. That is a strong return on a $21,442 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Scranton earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,500. Computer Science graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $55,390 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Dickinson College placed #24 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,650. Students borrow a median of $19,014 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,937. That is a strong return on a $19,014 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in computer science this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer science this year:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.