2027 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the Southwest Region
[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value computer programming schools.
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2027 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Programming Schools
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for computer programming in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $20,508. Computer Programming graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $48,779 early in their careers. Set against $20,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #2 place for computer programming. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amarillo College earned it the #4 place for computer programming. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,884 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at San Antonio College, which ranked #5. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Brazosport College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College landed the #7 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the computer programming program here. 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.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #8 for value in computer programming this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Tulsa Community College landed the #9 spot for computer programming value 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. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,789. 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 came in at #10 for value in computer programming this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #11 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $20,659 median debt.
Central Arizona College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
Green Country Technology Center landed the #14 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the rural area of Okmulgee, Green Country Technology Center is a small public institution. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $10,125. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $51,601. Set against $10,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Texas Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, Northeast Texas Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,980, with out-of-state students paying around $5,620. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,089. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $37,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metro Technology Centers ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public university. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Metro Technology Centers generally make around $48,236. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College earned the #17 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #18 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Hill College came in at #19 for value in computer programming this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $12,302. Computer Programming graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
Collin County Community College District ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Yavapai College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College earned the #22 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $14,869. Computer Programming graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College came in at #23 for value in computer programming this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System earned the #24 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College earned the #25 position for value in computer programming this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $13,750. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Computer Programming Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer programming value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
