2027 Best Value Computer Programming Master’s Degree Schools

[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for computer programming students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Programming Schools
For return on investment in computer programming, no school beat University Of Michigan Dearborn this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $19,723 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $80,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $26,373. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $105,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #4 makes Maharishi University Of Management one of the best values for computer programming. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $73,644. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Detroit Mercy is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $76,755. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Clemson University came in at #6 for value in computer programming this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $23,783. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $53,834. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #7 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $75,810. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Grand Canyon University placed #8 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $26,702. Computer Programming graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $52,190 early in their careers. Set against $26,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #9 for value in computer programming this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $25,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $94,629. That is a strong return on a $25,497 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Marist College came in at #10 for value in 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 computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $60,521. Set against $25,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.
Other Computer Programming Degree Levels
Explore the best-value computer programming schools at other degree levels:
View All Computer Programming Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.