by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-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 22 schools to find the best return on investment for computer engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Amarillo College earned the #1 spot for value among computer engineering schools in Texas. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for computer engineering. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $15,095. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in computer engineering will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $16,055. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $57,841. Set against $16,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for computer engineering. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,582 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $80,438 early in their careers. Set against $21,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #5 place for computer engineering. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $22,238. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $63,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #6 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $102,946. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #7 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $26,947 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $73,639. Set against $26,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Texas landed the #8 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,235 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $78,714. That is a strong return on a $23,235 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #9 among the best values for computer engineering. 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, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,833. Computer Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $81,226 early in their careers. Set against $20,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University placed #10 among the best values for computer engineering. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $53,784. Set against $29,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #11 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $88,820. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $85,619. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #13 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,816 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $86,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University came in at #14 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,434. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,040. Computer Engineering 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.
Southern Methodist University landed the #15 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,712. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $130,488. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.