by our College Data Analytics Team
[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 175 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value software engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study software engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Software Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Software Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the software engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Western Governors University earned the #1 spot for value among software engineering schools in the United States. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $74,771. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for software engineering. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $84,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $19,548 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $75,692. Set against $19,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #5 place for software engineering. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $66,266. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
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University Of California Irvine earned the #6 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,233 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $79,812. Set against $19,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Utah Valley University placed #7 among the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $14,563. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $85,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University came in at #8 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology landed the #9 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $48,257. Set against $9,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in software engineering this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Snow College landed the #11 spot for software engineering value this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College earned the #12 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Oakland Community College landed the #13 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
University Of Utah ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $19,375. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $99,070 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #15 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $60,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #16 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $88,785. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #17 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,972. Software Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $81,123 early in their careers. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #18 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,556 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $111,560 early in their careers. Set against $20,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of California Merced earned the #19 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,086 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $58,835. Set against $19,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #20 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $22,238 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $63,751. That is a strong return on a $22,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Washington State University came in at #21 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $87,135. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Portland State University came in at #22 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $35,166. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. That is a strong return on a $35,166 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez earned the #23 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,274. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $10,300. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $83,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #24 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,833 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $81,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #25 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in software engineering:
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Software Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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 · 175 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
