2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
Leading the list is Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, our #1 best value for computer science in Washington. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,695. Early-career computer science graduates make about $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Renton Technical College earned it the #2 place for computer science. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the computer science program here. 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.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,031 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $34,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,031 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at South Puget Sound Community College, which ranked #4. South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Olympia. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,818. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,245 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of South Puget Sound Community College earn a median of $39,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Tacoma Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,822. Computer Science graduates of Tacoma Community College earn a median of $41,732 early in their careers. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shoreline Community College came in at #6 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $62,009. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,118 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $142,074. Set against $16,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Yakima Valley Community College earned the #8 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,873. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,649 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Yakima Valley Community College earn a median of $49,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,649 median debt.
Bellevue College came in at #9 for value in computer science this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,839. Early-career computer science graduates make about $73,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Green River Community College landed the #10 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,118 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $142,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Edmonds Community College came in at #12 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,810, while out-of-state students pay about $10,875. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $16,025. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Edmonds Community College generally make around $35,618. Set against $16,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State University came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $22,453 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $79,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,453 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Central Washington University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,467. Computer Science graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $52,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University landed the #15 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $49,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,667 median debt. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Students borrow a median of $18,908 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $82,557. Set against $18,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University came in at #17 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Whitworth University generally make around $62,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle University placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Students borrow a median of $24,980 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $102,346. Set against $24,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
City University Of Seattle earned the #19 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,929. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from City University Of Seattle generally make around $76,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Whitman College came in at #20 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $17,518. Computer Science graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $32,345 early in their careers. Set against $17,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Gonzaga University earned the #21 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Computer Science graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $76,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,898. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of $66,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer science education at a price that pays off.
