2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Programming Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools in the United States. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clover Park Technical College earned it the #3 place for computer programming. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,154. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Pensacola State College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for computer programming. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $15,138 to complete the computer programming program here. 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.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Grossmont College came in at #7 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
De Anza College landed the #8 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #9 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College landed the #10 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #11 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #12 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. 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.
Sinclair Community College landed the #13 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $12,525. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $18,419. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.
El Centro College placed #15 among the best values for computer programming. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $21,908. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $53,830. That is a strong return on a $21,908 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #16 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #19 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $8,542. Computer Programming graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College placed #20 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College earned the #21 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the computer programming program here. 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.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College came in at #23 for value in computer programming this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College landed the #24 spot for computer programming value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College landed the #25 spot for computer programming value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $13,180. Computer Programming graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Programming Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer programming:
Other Computer Programming Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Computer Programming rankings across degree levels:
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 · 642 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
[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.
