by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer programming education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for computer programming students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Atlanta Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among computer programming schools in Georgia. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Albany Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #6 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $17,619. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lanier Technical College came in at #8 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. Set against $12,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College placed #9 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,404, compared with $5,954 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,716. Computer Programming graduates of Georgia Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $42,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,716 median debt.
Gwinnett Technical College came in at #10 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $6,500. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $35,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville landed the #11 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,605. Students borrow a median of $13,587 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Georgia Military College Milledgeville generally make around $29,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia State University placed #12 among the best values for computer programming. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #13 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $25,214 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $42,668. Set against $25,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.