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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in North Carolina

14 Colleges in the United States
$23,564 Avg Student Debt
$57,827 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer Science Badge [Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer science schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in North Carolina

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Computer Science Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for computer science in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,131. Early-career computer science graduates make about $90,293. Set against $14,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place for computer science. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $67,781. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes Elizabeth City State University one of the best values for computer science. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,992. Computer Science graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

4

Fayetteville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $50,940 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

5

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $38,417. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.

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North Carolina A And T State University placed #6 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,302. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $83,521. That is a strong return on a $26,302 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

7

Western Carolina University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $28,892. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

8

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #8 among the best values for computer science. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,970. Early-career computer science graduates make about $48,076. That is a strong return on a $23,970 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

9

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

10

Appalachian State University placed #10 among the best values for computer science. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $68,675. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

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11

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #11 for value in computer science this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $21,073. Early-career computer science graduates make about $97,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

12

Winston Salem State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,721 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $50,927. Set against $30,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

13

East Carolina University came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $65,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

14
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #15 spot for computer science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,819. Computer Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $76,213 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,819 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

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Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University placed #16 among the best values for computer science. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $63,220. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

17
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,674. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $75,625. That is a strong return on a $20,674 median debt. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.

18
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $133,356. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

19
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,312. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.

20

Elon University placed #20 among the best values for computer science. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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