2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 79 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer programming schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the Southwest Region
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
For return on investment in computer programming, no school beat El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $20,508 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $48,779. Set against $20,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for computer programming. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #4 spot this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,627. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College earned the #6 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District placed #7 among the best values for computer programming. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $20,659 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,659 median debt.
San Antonio College landed the #8 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,839. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #9 for value in computer programming this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $11,884 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $34,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yavapai College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $14,087. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Mclennan Community College earned the #11 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College landed the #12 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College landed the #13 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #14 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Hill College landed the #15 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $39,212. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center landed the #16 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,859 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $26,570. That is a strong return on a $14,859 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #17 for value in computer programming this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metro Technology Centers landed the #18 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Metro Technology Centers earn a median of $48,236 early in their careers. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center earned the #19 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,384. Computer Programming graduates of Tulsa Technology Center earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #20 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Texas State Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $32,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College earned the #22 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $13,451. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $50,860. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College placed #23 among the best values for computer programming. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Mesa Community College earned the #24 position for value in computer programming this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #25 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $31,821 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $67,324 early in their careers. Set against $31,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Computer Programming Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for computer programming this year:
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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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
