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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Associate’s Degree Schools

44 Colleges in the United States
$14,570 Avg Student Debt
$42,323 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Associate's Degree Badge [Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer software & applications education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 728 schools to find the best return on investment for computer software & applications students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools

1

For return on investment in computer software & applications, no school beat Florida State College At Jacksonville this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $19,139. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $17,611. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.

3
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for computer software & applications. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $21,799 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $27,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,799 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.

5

Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College landed the #6 spot for computer software & applications value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,211 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $41,477. That is a strong return on a $11,211 median debt.

7

Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #7 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.

8

Washtenaw Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Carroll Community College came in at #9 for value in computer software & applications this year. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $49,058. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Imperial Valley College earned the #10 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #11 for value in computer software & applications this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #12 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $6,214. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $20,919. Set against $6,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for value in computer software & applications this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Joliet Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,995. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Macomb Community College earned the #15 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #16 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $14,786. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Austin Community College District ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Miami Dade College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,967. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College landed the #19 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.

20

College Of Lake County came in at #20 for value in computer software & applications this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Schoolcraft College landed the #21 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,283. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Spokane Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $39,679. That is a strong return on a $16,486 median debt.

23

Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #23 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,366 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Set against $13,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Leeward Community College came in at #24 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $10,776. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Leeward Community College generally make around $21,784. Set against $10,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Indian River State College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer software & applications:

26
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
27
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
28
29
30
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
31
32
33
34
35
36
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL
37
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA
38
39
40
41
42
Polk State College crest
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL
43
44
45
46
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
47
48
49
50

Other Computer Software & Applications Degree Levels

Explore the best-value computer software & applications schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Computer Software & Applications
Bachelor's Degrees in Computer Software & Applications
Master's Degrees in Computer Software & Applications
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View All Computer Software & Applications Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 728 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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