[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) 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 682 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value computer science schools.
Finding the Best Value Computer Science School for You
Where you study computer science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Computer Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Computer Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in computer science in the United States. 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. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $146,624. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $76,747 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,623 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the computer science program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the computer science program here. 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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #7 position for value in computer science this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $11,492. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,323. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Skyline College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #11 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #13 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #14 among the best values for computer science. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cypress College landed the #15 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #16 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #17 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $15,321 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Irvine Valley College earned the #18 position for value in computer science this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the computer science program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #19 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #20 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,750. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $24,888 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,500. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,692. Computer Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,695. Early-career computer science graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer science:
This ranking is produced 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 · 682 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 682 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
