[Computational Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/computational-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 104 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computational science schools.
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Finding the Best Value Computational Science School for You
Where you study computational science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Computational Science 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Computational Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Florida International University earned the #1 spot for value among computational science schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $19,349. Early-career computational science graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for computational science. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career computational science graduates make about $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in computational science will find it at Modesto Junior College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $8,575. Early-career computational science graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Dearborn earned it the #4 place for computational science. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the computational science program here. Early-career computational science graduates make about $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computational science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the computational science program here. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for computational science value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $90,724. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computational science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the computational science program here. Early-career computational science graduates make about $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for computational science. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $132,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Georgia came in at #9 for value in computational science this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $21,792. Early-career computational science graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Washington State University placed #10 among the best values for computational science. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Saint Peters College earned the #11 position for value in computational science this year. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $22,969. Early-career computational science graduates make about $50,944. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Montclair State University earned the #12 position for value in computational science this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the computational science program here. Early-career computational science graduates make about $44,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez landed the #13 spot for computational science value this year. Located in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,274 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,630 to complete the computational science program here. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $32,922. Set against $8,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez admits about 56% of applicants.
San Diego State University earned the #14 position for value in computational science this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $16,417. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #15 for value in computational science this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the computational science program here. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #16 spot for computational science value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the computational science program here. Computational Science graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $121,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #17 for value in computational science this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the computational science program here. Computational Science graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #18 among the best values for computational science. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $23,495. Computational Science graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #19 among the best values for computational science. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the computational science program here. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
University Of Arkansas came in at #20 for value in computational science this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $24,019. Computational Science graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value computational science schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $21,275. Computational Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Michigan State University landed the #22 spot for computational science value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the computational science program here. Early-career computational science graduates make about $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #23 position for value in computational science this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #24 spot for computational science value this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Clemson University landed the #25 spot for computational science value this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Early-career computational science graduates make about $53,834. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Computational Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computational science:
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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Computational Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/computational-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
