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.
College Factual analyzed 51 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer science schools.
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 El Paso Community College this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes El Centro College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. 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.
Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned it the #5 place for computer science. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
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The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 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. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System earned the #8 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Odessa College landed the #9 spot for computer science value 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. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $9,087. Computer Science graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College earned the #10 position for value in computer science 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. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,869. Computer Science graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #11 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #12 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,988. Computer Science graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $84,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #14 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $65,857 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #15 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #16 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,445 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $70,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Blinn College came in at #17 for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #18 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,628. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $39,582. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $59,434. Set against $26,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tarleton State University landed the #20 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,222. Early-career computer science graduates make about $50,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #21 position for value in computer science this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,187. Computer Science graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $103,906 early in their careers. Set against $20,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University landed the #22 spot for computer science value this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. In-state tuition and fees average $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $88,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
North American University placed #23 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Stafford, North American University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,436 in tuition and fees.
St Marys University came in at #24 for value in computer science this year. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $37,434 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,040. Computer Science graduates of St Marys University earn a median of $42,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Texas ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Austin, Concordia University Texas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,778. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $28,613. Computer Science graduates of Concordia University Texas earn a median of $52,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science value ranking:
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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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.