2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value computer science schools.
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2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, our #1 best value for computer science in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,867. Computer Science graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Northampton County Area Community College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Students borrow a median of $28,375 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology generally make around $35,098. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington one of the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $28,000. Computer Science graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn a median of $72,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,977. Computer Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $77,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,977 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #7 among the best values for computer science. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $45,448. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $67,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for value in computer science this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,028. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
La Roche College placed #10 among the best values for computer science. La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,052. Students borrow a median of $27,078 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from La Roche College generally make around $54,268. That is a strong return on a $27,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Saint Vincent College came in at #11 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $54,916 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College landed the #12 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $58,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned the #13 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of $72,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $122,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Widener University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $51,536. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
South Hills School Of Business And Technology came in at #16 for value in computer science this year. South Hills School Of Business And Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of State College. Students from in state pay about $19,905 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,459 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Hills School Of Business And Technology admits about 97% of applicants.
Muhlenberg College came in at #17 for value in computer science this year. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $35,641. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #18 spot for computer science value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $77,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $62,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.
Ursinus College placed #20 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,061 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Ursinus College earn a median of $36,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #21 position for value in computer science this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,857. Computer Science graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $52,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Gettysburg College landed the #22 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,640. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $74,642. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #23 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $21,442. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $171,264. That is a strong return on a $21,442 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Bryn Mawr College came in at #24 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,920. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $72,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Computer Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science value ranking:
More Computer Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
