2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools in the Far Western Region. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grossmont College earned it the #2 place for general computer programming. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Reedley College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for general computer programming. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for general computer programming. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College placed #6 among the best values for general computer programming. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College landed the #7 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College earned the #8 position for value in general computer programming this year. 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. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #9 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Hartnell College placed #11 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $6,000. General Computer Programming graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Folsom Lake College placed #12 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
De Anza College earned the #13 position for value in general computer programming this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Riverside City College landed the #14 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College placed #15 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College placed #16 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College came in at #17 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $8,978. General Computer Programming graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College earned the #19 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College landed the #20 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Diablo Valley College earned the #21 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #22 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,980. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $53,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College earned the #24 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Miracosta College landed the #25 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general computer programming:
Narrow General Computer Programming Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
[General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
