2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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 Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for computer science in the Rocky Mountains Region. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $7,821 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,316. That is a strong return on a $7,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #2 makes Snow College one of the best values for computer science. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $77,946. That is a strong return on a $24,725 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laramie County Community College earned it the #4 place for computer science. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, compared with $10,913 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Latter Day Saints Business College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Western Governors University came in at #6 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,796 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $83,860. That is a strong return on a $17,796 median debt.
Weber State University landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $18,158 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $75,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,158 median debt.
Front Range Community College earned the #8 position for value in computer science this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,384 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Utah earned the #9 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,947 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $90,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,947 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming landed the #10 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $71,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University placed #11 among the best values for computer science. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $49,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #12 for value in computer science this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $107,525 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #13 position for value in computer science this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $22,736. Computer Science graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $73,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,736 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Idaho placed #14 among the best values for computer science. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $70,276. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #15 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $65,000 early in their careers. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs placed #16 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $44,014 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs earn a median of $89,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $44,014 median debt.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,863. Computer Science graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $77,761 early in their careers. Set against $26,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Montana landed the #18 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $42,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University earned the #19 position for value in computer science this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $62,829 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Boise State University placed #20 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $85,596. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University placed #21 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $66,918. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #22 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,974. Computer Science graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $77,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Regis University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $30,389. Early-career computer science graduates make about $75,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northwest Nazarene University landed the #24 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,824. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,562. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $94,477 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Computer Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science value ranking:
Narrow Computer Science Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
