[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1091 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer science students.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for computer science in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $76,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $13,500. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $63,632 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,623. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $83,258. Set against $8,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for computer science. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $57,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for computer science. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,317 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $59,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,317 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #6 for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $7,821. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,316. Set against $7,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $44,530. That is a strong return on a $15,321 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #8 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,750. Computer Science graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $34,482 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Northridge earned the #9 position for value in computer science this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $62,821. That is a strong return on a $18,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Princeton University came in at #10 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $146,624 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #11 spot for computer science value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $17,020. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $45,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida Polytechnic University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $21,004. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Florida Polytechnic University generally make around $64,823. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #13 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,046 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $45,290 early in their careers. Set against $19,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earned the #14 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #15 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #16 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #17 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,399. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $138,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #18 for value in computer science this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $16,118 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $128,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #19 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $112,006. That is a strong return on a $16,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $60,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Fresno came in at #21 for value in computer science this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $17,775. Early-career computer science graduates make about $53,566. That is a strong return on a $17,775 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of West Florida ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Farmingdale State College landed the #23 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,528 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Utah Valley University earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,725 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College came in at #25 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,573. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $36,061. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1091 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 345 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).
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
