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

40 Colleges in the United States
$24,642 Avg Student Debt
$69,882 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Master's Degree Badge [Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 728 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 The University Of West Florida this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

2
Western Governors University crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

A rank of #2 makes Western Governors University one of the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $23,287 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $101,328. Set against $23,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

A rank of #3 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for computer software & applications. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $38,234. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

5

Utah State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Georgia landed the #6 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $94,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

7
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #7 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $66,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $115,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #9 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $18,559. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

10

George Mason University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $126,908. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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Appalachian State University came in at #11 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $74,802 early in their careers. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.

12

Illinois State University placed #12 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

13

Austin Peay State University earned the #13 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $63,320. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14

University Of Baltimore placed #14 among the best values for computer software & applications. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $29,681. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $56,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

15

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #15 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #16 among the best values for computer software & applications. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. That is a strong return on a $23,013 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

17

Texas A And M University College Station placed #17 among the best values for computer software & applications. 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. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $20,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $68,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

18

New York Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in computer software & applications this year. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $61,734. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. New York Institute Of Technology admits about 81% of applicants.

19
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University earned the #19 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

20
St Francis College crest
St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY

St Francis College placed #20 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $24,966. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from St Francis College generally make around $40,678. Set against $24,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #21 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.

22
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University landed the #22 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Regis University earn a median of $111,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

Seattle Pacific University earned the #23 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $52,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

24
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #24 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $25,232. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Boston University earn a median of $98,965 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

25
Robert Morris University crest
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University placed #25 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $26,748. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $86,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer software & applications value ranking:

26
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
27
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY
28
29
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
30
31
32
33
New England College crest
New England College
Henniker, NH
34
35
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
36
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
37
38
Academy Of Art University crest
Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY
46

Other Computer Software & Applications Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Computer Software & Applications rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Computer Software & Applications
Associate's Degrees in Computer Software & Applications
Bachelor's Degrees in Computer Software & Applications
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 728 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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