[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 492 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer science students.
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $146,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for computer science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $76,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for computer science. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,623 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $83,258. Set against $8,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for computer science. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 64% 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,317 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $59,516. Set against $13,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles placed #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,321 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, 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%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $57,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,483 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $62,821. That is a strong return on a $18,483 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $7,821. Computer Science graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $77,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for computer science value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,725 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $77,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #12 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,131 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $90,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #13 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #14 spot for computer science value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #15 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $60,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus placed #16 among the best values for computer science. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $68,485 early in their careers. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #19 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $78,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #20 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,747. Computer Science graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
Cuny York College landed the #21 spot for computer science value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. 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. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #22 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #23 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $60,371. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Seattle Community College North Campus placed #24 among the best values for computer science. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $16,643. Early-career computer science graduates make about $48,739. Set against $16,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Kokomo placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $46,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer science:
The ranking above is published 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 · 492 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 492 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.
