2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
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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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
For return on investment in general computer programming, no school beat University Of Michigan Dearborn this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $19,723. General Computer Programming graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $80,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Youngstown State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at University Of Detroit Mercy, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Maharishi University Of Management is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,530 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $73,644. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Grand Canyon University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $26,702. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $52,190. That is a strong return on a $26,702 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University landed the #6 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,497 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $94,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marist College earned the #7 position for value in general computer programming this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $47,620. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $60,521. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.
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), 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 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.
