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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Virginia

9 Colleges in the United States
$20,614 Avg Student Debt
$56,465 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer Science Badge [Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer science education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for computer science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Virginia

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

Our analysis ranked John Tyler Community College the best value for a degree in computer science in Virginia. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lord Fairfax Community College earned it the #2 place for computer science. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Northern Virginia Community College one of the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $13,000. Early-career computer science graduates make about $48,889. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Piedmont Virginia Community College earned it the #4 place for computer science. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. 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 $12,495 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Tidewater Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,001. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $35,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

George Mason University placed #6 among the best values for computer science. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,529. Early-career computer science graduates make about $84,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

Virginia State University placed #7 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $29,010. Computer Science graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Set against $29,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

8
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University came in at #8 for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $66,857. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.

9
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Regent University earn a median of $50,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

10

Virginia Military Institute earned the #10 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,000. Early-career computer science graduates make about $58,225. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.

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11
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $78,085. That is a strong return on a $25,649 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College earned the #12 position for value in computer science this year. Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,090. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $58,440 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

13

Christopher Newport University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $72,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

14

College Of William And Mary landed the #14 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,794 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $84,956. That is a strong return on a $19,794 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.

15

Washington And Lee University earned the #15 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,074. Computer Science graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

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Notes and References

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 · 32 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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