ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

55 Colleges in the United States
$23,067 Avg Student Debt
$70,916 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Master's Degree Badge [General Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 340 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer engineering students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 7
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 14.09), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Software Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Software Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Software Engineering (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Software Engineering (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Electrical Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Electrical Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Electrical Engineering (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Electrical Engineering (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Computer Science (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Computer Science (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 2
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 2 offers with relevance >= 0.8

2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the United States

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

Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools

1

University Of California San Diego earned the #1 spot for value among general computer engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,497 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $96,256. Set against $18,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

2

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $113,000. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for general computer engineering. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $19,548. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $75,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for general computer engineering. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,233 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $79,812. Set against $19,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $26,750. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $72,029. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

ADBLOCK #101
6

University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $23,000. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $76,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

7

San Jose State University placed #7 among the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #8 among the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,327. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $79,022 early in their careers. Set against $25,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

9

Florida International University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,948 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $99,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #10 for value in general computer engineering this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $27,250. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $83,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Arizona State University earned the #11 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $81,123. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

12
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #12 spot for general computer engineering value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $108,534. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

13
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #13 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Students borrow a median of $18,031 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

14

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #14 position for value in general computer engineering this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $156,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

15

University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #15 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,238 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $63,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

ADBLOCK #145
16

University Of California Riverside ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,083. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $65,049. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

17

West Virginia University earned the #17 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $24,500. General Computer Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $76,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

18

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #18 position for value in general computer engineering this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $73,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

19

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #19 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $78,964. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

20

University Of North Texas landed the #20 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $23,235. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $78,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,235 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

ADBLOCK #150
21
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #21 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $78,709 early in their careers. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

22

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #22 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $19,819. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $102,946. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

23

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #23 among the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $81,226. Set against $20,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

24
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #24 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $177,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

25

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #25 among the best values for general computer engineering. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $71,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general computer engineering:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
50

Other General Computer Engineering Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general computer engineering schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Computer Engineering
Associate's Degrees in General Computer Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in General Computer Engineering
ADBLOCK #173
View All General Computer Engineering Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 340 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options