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2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in Michigan

1 Colleges in the United States
$23,555 Avg Student Debt
$61,581 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Software Engineering Badge [Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-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 5 schools to find the best return on investment for software engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in Michigan

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in software engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Software Engineering Schools

1
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among software engineering schools in Michigan. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for software engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $77,465. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes Lawrence Technological University one of the best values for software engineering. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,760. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Set against $27,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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