2026 Best Value Software Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Our analysis ranked Western Governors University the best value for a degree in software engineering in the United States. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $23,277. Software Engineering graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for software engineering. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $55,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Marcos earned it the #3 place for software engineering. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

4

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

5

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $66,266 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,233 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $79,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #7 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,548 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $75,692. Set against $19,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

8

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University came in at #8 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,563 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $85,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

10

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #10 position for value in software engineering this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $89,605. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

11

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #11 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $25,000. 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.

12

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #12 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $88,785. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

13

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Snow College landed the #13 spot for software engineering value this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $10,440. Software Engineering graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $81,123. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

15

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #15 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,556 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $111,560. Set against $20,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.

16

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced came in at #16 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $19,086 to complete the software engineering program here. 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%.

17

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #17 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $87,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

18

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $35,166 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,166 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

19

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez placed #19 among the best values for software engineering. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public school located in the city of Mayaguez. Students from in state pay about $5,274 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $10,300. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $83,545. That is a strong return on a $10,300 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $22,238. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $63,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,833 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $81,226. That is a strong return on a $20,833 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

22

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

23

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $76,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

24

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #24 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $76,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

25

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #25 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.