2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 198 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer programming students.
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Finding the Best Value General Computer Programming School for You
The right general computer programming school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created 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.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Computer Programming Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 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
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among general computer programming schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. 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. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $16,387 median debt.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College placed #7 among the best values for general computer programming. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #8 position for value in general computer programming this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,256 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $42,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,256 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #9 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $15,138 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. That is a strong return on a $15,138 median debt.
El Centro College earned the #10 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $20,508 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,779. Set against $20,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #11 spot for general computer programming value this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $8,098. General Computer Programming graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #12 for value in general computer programming this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,616. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #14 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #15 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $14,636. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $33,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #16 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $12,736. General Computer Programming graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $55,996 early in their careers. Set against $12,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College came in at #17 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $6,000. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #18 among the best values for general computer programming. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College came in at #19 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College earned the #20 position for value in general computer programming this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College earned the #21 position for value in general computer programming this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Indian River State College earned the #22 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $10,492. General Computer Programming graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #23 position for value in general computer programming this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Hinds Community College placed #24 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #25 among the best values for general computer programming. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 198 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 198 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.
