[Mathematics & Computer Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/math-computer-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for mathematics & computer science students.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Finding the Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science School for You
Where you study mathematics & computer science affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Mathematics & Computer 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 Mathematics & Computer Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
For return on investment in mathematics & computer science, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $18,887. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $89,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics & computer science will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics & computer science will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for mathematics & computer science. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $16,539. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics & computer science will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rockland Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $41,799. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $23,350. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $109,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #8 for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #9 spot for mathematics & computer science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $19,750. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $44,143. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #11 for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #12 spot for mathematics & computer science value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $24,813. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $68,137. Set against $24,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Western Washington University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $41,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Western Michigan University earned the #15 position for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $27,981. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $48,966. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #16 position for value in mathematics & computer science this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $27,000. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $53,179. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #17 among the best values for mathematics & computer science. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $126,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College placed #20 among the best values for mathematics & computer science. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University came in at #21 for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Harvey Mudd College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from Harvey Mudd College generally make around $166,573. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Harvey Mudd College admits about 13% of applicants.
Pepperdine University earned the #23 position for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University earned the #24 position for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $91,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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).
[Mathematics & Computer Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/math-computer-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
