2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Southwest Region

1

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

Our analysis ranked El Paso Community College the best value for a degree in computer science in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #2 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

A rank of #3 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for computer science. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,112. Early-career computer science graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

A rank of #5 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,223. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Socorro. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,747. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $64,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.

7

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

8

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

9

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System earned the #9 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria placed #10 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

11

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #11 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,312. Early-career computer science graduates make about $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

12

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,988. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College landed the #13 spot for computer science value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College came in at #14 for value in computer science this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.

15

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #15 spot for computer science value this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $22,288. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $65,857. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

16

Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Glendale, AZ

Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #16 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Chandler Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ

Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #17 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Cameron University
Lawton, OK

Cameron University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $43,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.

20

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $93,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

21

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,374 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

22

Texas A And M University San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #22 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $22,771. Computer Science graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

23

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College landed the #23 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $74,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

25

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #25 among the best values for computer science. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $84,759. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.