by our College Data Analytics Team
[Specific Platforms](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/specific-platforms/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong specific platforms education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for specific platforms students.
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The right specific platforms school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Specific Platforms Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Specific Platforms Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in specific platforms, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Macomb Community College, our #1 best value for specific platforms in the United States. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for specific platforms graduates is $9,862. Early-career specific platforms graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for specific platforms. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the specific platforms program here. Early-career specific platforms graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #3 place for specific platforms. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the specific platforms program here. Early-career specific platforms graduates make about $54,278. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value specific platforms schools. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the specific platforms program here. Early-career specific platforms graduates make about $56,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in specific platforms will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Students borrow a median of $16,059 to complete the specific platforms program here. Specific Platforms graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value specific platforms schools. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the specific platforms program here. Early-career specific platforms graduates make about $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Specific Platforms. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.