2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
[General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer programming education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 489 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer programming students.
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Finding the Best Value General Computer Programming School for You
Where you study general computer programming affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value General Computer Programming Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for general computer programming in the United States. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $16,387. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. That is a strong return on a $16,387 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general computer programming program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Atlanta Technical College one of the best values for general computer programming. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $17,655. General Computer Programming graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #5 spot this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $15,138. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clover Park Technical College placed #6 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $15,154. General Computer Programming graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #7 among the best values for general computer programming. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Grossmont College came in at #8 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #9 spot for general computer programming value this year. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $5,812. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College placed #10 among the best values for general computer programming. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,191. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #11 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Santa Monica College landed the #13 spot for general computer programming value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Reedley College came in at #14 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $6,500. General Computer Programming graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #15 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
De Anza College earned the #17 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general computer programming program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #18 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #19 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Hinds Community College earned the #20 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $16,385. General Computer Programming graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.
Norco College landed the #21 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the general computer programming program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College came in at #22 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $5,939. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College placed #23 among the best values for general computer programming. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $20,508 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $48,779 early in their careers. Set against $20,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College landed the #24 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general computer programming:
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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 · 489 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
