2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 56 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer programming students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Southwest 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
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among general computer programming schools in the Southwest Region. 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, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $20,508. General Computer Programming graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $48,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,508 median debt.
Alvin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for general computer programming. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, 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.
A rank of #4 makes Grayson College one of the best values for general computer programming. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Arizona College earned it the #5 place for general computer programming. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,635. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College placed #6 among the best values for general computer programming. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College earned the #7 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #8 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,659 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,884 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $34,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College placed #10 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,598. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yavapai College came in at #11 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Central Texas College placed #12 among the best values for general computer programming. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,290. General Computer Programming graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #13 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center landed the #14 spot for general computer programming value this year. Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,859 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $26,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hill College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College placed #16 among the best values for general computer programming. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,376. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $38,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metro Technology Centers landed the #17 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public university. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $13,679. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #19 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Tulsa Technology Center earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State Technical College placed #20 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $32,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College landed the #21 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $13,451. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $50,860. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College earned the #22 position for value in general computer programming this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #23 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $31,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $67,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Canyon University earned the #24 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,702 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $52,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
