2027 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer programming students.
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2027 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in general computer programming 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. Students borrow a median of $20,508 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $48,779. That is a strong return on a $20,508 median debt.
Tarrant County College District came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the general computer programming program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at San Antonio College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #5. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $11,884 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $34,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #6 position for value in general computer programming this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Houston Community College landed the #8 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $19,223. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Tulsa Community College landed the #9 spot for general computer programming value this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Grayson College placed #10 among the best values for general computer programming. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Central Arizona College came in at #11 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,826. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #12 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $20,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green Country Technology Center landed the #13 spot for general computer programming value this year. Green Country Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Okmulgee. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $10,125. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Green Country Technology Center generally make around $51,601. That is a strong return on a $10,125 median debt.
Metro Technology Centers ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Metro Technology Centers is a small public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $48,236. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Texas Community College placed #15 among the best values for general computer programming. Northeast Texas Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,980, compared with $5,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $15,089. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Northeast Texas Community College generally make around $37,839. That is a strong return on a $15,089 median debt.
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #16 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,384. 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.
Hill College earned the #17 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $39,212. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
Alvin Community College placed #18 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yavapai College earned the #19 position for value in general computer programming this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,716. General Computer Programming graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College earned the #22 position for value in general computer programming this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #23 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $38,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College came in at #24 for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $50,860. That is a strong return on a $13,451 median debt.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $14,859. General Computer Programming graduates of Francis Tuttle Technology Center earn a median of $26,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 28 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
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.