2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among software engineering schools in the Far Western Region. 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $18,500. Software Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $84,047 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $19,548 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $75,692 early in their careers. Set against $19,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #3 place 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. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $66,266. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University San Marcos one of the best values for software engineering. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. 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. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

5

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #5. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $19,233 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $79,812. Set against $19,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

6

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $58,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #7 among the best values for software engineering. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. 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. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

8

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $35,166 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $20,556. 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. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

10

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University came in at #10 for value in software engineering this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $87,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

11

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,248 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $76,812. That is a strong return on a $16,248 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.

12

Ashford University
San Diego, CA

Ashford University came in at #12 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $39,515 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $48,441. Set against $39,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University placed #13 among the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $75,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University earned the #14 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

15

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,666 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.