2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $15,321 to complete the computer science program here. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for computer science. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $34,482. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $57,307. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,483 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $62,821. That is a strong return on a $18,483 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego landed the #6 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,550 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $148,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Princeton University landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $146,624. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
California State University San Bernardino placed #8 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $17,020 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #9 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,399 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $199,761. That is a strong return on a $10,399 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University Fresno ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $53,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,046. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $16,118 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $155,261 early in their careers. Set against $16,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $67,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
California State University Long Beach placed #15 among the best values for computer science. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,619. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $95,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #16 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Governors State University placed #17 among the best values for computer science. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $52,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $60,028. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $148,476. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #20 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,118 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $155,261. Set against $16,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,850. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $60,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #24 for value in computer science this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $30,301 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $97,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
California State University Channel Islands ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $59,374. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for computer science this year:
Other Computer Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value computer science schools at other degree levels:
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 · 1091 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 187 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
