2026 Best Value Software Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $113,000. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #2 place for software engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. 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.

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. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

5

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #6 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $108,534 early in their careers. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #7 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,238 to complete the software engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #8 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $76,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

9

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $81,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

10

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #10 among the best values for software engineering. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $177,890. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

11

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #11 among the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $19,819. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $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.

12

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #12 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $67,640. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $23,000. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $127,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

14

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $21,511 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $76,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

15

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #15 position for value in software engineering this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $21,000. Software Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $100,030 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

16

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University earned the #16 position for value in software engineering this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,697 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $132,367 early in their careers. Set against $26,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

17

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University earned the #17 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $24,337. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $79,182. Set against $24,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

18

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University placed #18 among the best values for software engineering. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,547 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $68,852. Set against $25,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

19

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $92,217. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

20

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #20 among the best values for software engineering. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

21

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #21 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $81,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

23

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $67,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.

24

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $83,489. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

25

St Marys University
San Antonio, TX

St Marys University placed #25 among the best values for software engineering. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,434. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $42,786. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. St Marys University admits about 98% of applicants.