2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 642 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer programming schools.
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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
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Dearborn, our #1 best value for computer programming in the United States. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $19,723. Computer Programming graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $80,830 early in their careers. Set against $19,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #2 place for computer programming. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. 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. Computer Programming graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $76,755. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $105,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Maharishi University Of Management is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $73,644. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University placed #6 among the best values for computer programming. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $26,702. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $52,190. That is a strong return on a $26,702 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $24,499. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $75,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #8 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. 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. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Marist College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,620. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $25,962. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $60,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.
Other Computer Programming Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Computer Programming rankings across degree levels:
View All Computer Programming Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 5 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.