by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for computer engineering students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in computer engineering, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $13,389. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $78,326. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in computer engineering will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,695. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $95,847 early in their careers. Set against $20,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #3 makes Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology one of the best values for computer engineering. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,050. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $48,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in computer engineering will find it at New Jersey Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $67,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,988 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $86,444. That is a strong return on a $19,988 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Delaware earned the #6 position for value in computer engineering this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $26,679. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $84,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,679 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Stony Brook University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,990 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $73,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $102,083. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University At Buffalo landed the #10 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $74,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $23,945 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $86,938 early in their careers. Set against $23,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College came in at #12 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #13 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,725. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $84,241. That is a strong return on a $25,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #14 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $90,829. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #15 position for value in computer engineering this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $26,837. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $78,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $27,000. Computer Engineering graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattan College earned the #17 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,400. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $77,463. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Scranton landed the #18 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,777 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $56,861 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $16,155. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York placed #20 among the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,670 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $59,662 early in their careers. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #21 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $23,529. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Clarkson University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Clarkson University generally make around $80,942. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
New York University earned the #24 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $19,000. Computer Engineering graduates of New York University earn a median of $82,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Lehigh University came in at #25 for value in computer engineering this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $82,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer engineering this year:
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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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.