2027 Best Value General Computer Programming Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer programming education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 115 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer programming students.
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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
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for general computer programming in the United States. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #2 place for general computer programming. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general computer programming program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. 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 St Petersburg College, which ranked #3. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $19,500. General Computer Programming graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #4 place for general computer programming. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at Atlanta Technical College, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $17,655. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #6 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Henry Ford Community College placed #7 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $36,247. Set against $15,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #8 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $18,262 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $42,710. Set against $18,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #9 position for value in general computer programming this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $21,908. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $53,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Tarrant County College District placed #12 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #13 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $33,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College placed #14 among the best values for general computer programming. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #15 spot for general computer programming value this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $12,736 to complete the general computer programming program here. 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 placed #16 among the best values for general computer programming. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. 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.
Pasadena City College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,191. General Computer Programming graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College came in at #18 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. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College earned the #19 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #20 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College placed #22 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College came in at #23 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #24 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Schoolcraft College landed the #25 spot for general computer programming value this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. 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:
Other General Computer Programming Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Computer Programming rankings across degree levels:
View All General Computer Programming Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 115 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.
