2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
Our analysis ranked San Diego Miramar College the best value for a degree in computer science in California. 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. Computer Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the best values for computer science. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the computer science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Computer Science graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #6 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College earned the #7 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the computer science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
College Of The Canyons landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #10 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,288. 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.
Reedley College earned the #11 position for value in computer science this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #12 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $5,500. Computer Science graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #14 spot for computer science value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Moreno Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. 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, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College earned the #17 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the computer science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #19 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $34,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Santa Ana College came in at #20 for value in computer science this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College came in at #21 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
California State University Los Angeles placed #22 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. 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. 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%.
Citrus College earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Riverside City College placed #24 among the best values for computer science. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. 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. Computer Science graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Las Positas College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for computer science this year:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 144 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
