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 203 schools to find the best return on investment for computer science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat Florida Polytechnic University this year. Set in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,940, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $64,823. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes John Tyler Community College one of the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $48,889. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for computer science. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $21,829. Computer Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
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The University Of West Florida earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,677. Early-career computer science graduates make about $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #7 position for value in computer science this year. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Itawamba Community College earned the #8 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College earned the #9 position for value in computer science this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,001 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $35,627. That is a strong return on a $14,001 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #10 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,131 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $90,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #11 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,495. Early-career computer science graduates make about $46,129. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
University Of North Florida ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,523. Early-career computer science graduates make about $49,208. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #14 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #15 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $67,781 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $112,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Murray State University landed the #17 spot for computer science value this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $36,938. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #18 for value in computer science this year. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $47,702. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Aiken ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. In-state tuition and fees average $10,760, compared with $21,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,011. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $42,220. Set against $27,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University placed #22 among the best values for computer science. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $68,023. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $28,992. Early-career computer science graduates make about $60,259. Set against $28,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Fayetteville State University placed #24 among the best values for computer science. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $50,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #25 for value in computer science this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $79,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer science this year:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 203 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.