2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,098. Computer Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for computer science. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College came in at #7 for value in computer science this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #9 for value in computer science this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College earned the #10 position for value in computer science this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #11 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #13 among the best values for computer science. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Reedley College came in at #14 for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #15 for value in computer science this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $5,500. Early-career computer science graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #16 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Golden West College earned the #17 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Santa Ana College earned the #18 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $11,196. Computer Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College placed #20 among the best values for computer science. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,321 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $44,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Folsom Lake College earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Citrus College earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Renton Technical College landed the #24 spot for computer science value this year. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,767. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science value ranking:
Narrow Computer Science Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 203 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer science education at a price that pays off.
