[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/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 235 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer programming students.
Finding the Best Value Computer Programming School for You
Where you study computer programming affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Computer Programming Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Computer Programming Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in computer programming, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Atlanta Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $17,655. Computer Programming graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #4 place for computer programming. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,387 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Macomb Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #6 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $16,256. Computer Programming graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $42,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,256 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College earned the #8 position for value in computer programming this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
El Centro College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $20,508 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $48,779 early in their careers. Set against $20,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $9,616. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,138 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $15,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District landed the #13 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,736 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $55,996. Set against $12,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #15 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $14,636. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $33,937. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #16 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College landed the #17 spot for computer programming value this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $6,000. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Essex County College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $37,915. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College placed #19 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the computer programming program here. 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.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #21 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College earned the #22 position for value in 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $5,707. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College landed the #23 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,967. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Indian River State College came in at #24 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College landed the #25 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Programming Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer programming value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 235 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 235 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).
[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
