2027 Best Value Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 226 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value computer science schools.
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2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in computer science in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the computer science program here. 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. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,321. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,530. Set against $15,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for computer science. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $63,632. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #6 for value in computer science this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,483 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $62,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #7 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,725. Computer Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $77,946 early in their careers. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $16,500. 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $21,829. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #10 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of California San Diego ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,550 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $148,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,550 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #12 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,625. Early-career computer science graduates make about $60,028. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay came in at #15 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,000. Computer Science graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $60,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #16 position for value in computer science this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,046 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $45,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #17 spot for computer science value this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $112,762. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $68,485. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. 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. Early-career computer science graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #20 spot for computer science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,131. Computer Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $90,293 early in their careers. Set against $14,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #21 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,087 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $101,886 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,087 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
California State University Fresno came in at #22 for value in computer science this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,775 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $53,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #23 spot for computer science value this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. 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. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #25 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $149,866 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,900 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science value ranking:
Other Computer Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Computer Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Computer Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 226 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 226 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.
