2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 122 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat John Tyler Community College this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $11,262. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. 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. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Lord Fairfax Community College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Copiah Lincoln Community College one of the best values for computer science. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $48,889. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Christian Brothers University placed #9 among the best values for computer science. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Florida Polytechnic University came in at #11 for value in computer science this year. Set in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Florida Polytechnic University earn a median of $64,823 early in their careers. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Itawamba Community College landed the #12 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #13 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. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $112,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $16,131. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia came in at #18 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria placed #19 among the best values for computer science. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #20 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $67,781. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $68,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Aiken earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Students borrow a median of $27,011 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $42,220. That is a strong return on a $27,011 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #23 for value in computer science this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $36,938. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $28,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $60,259. Set against $28,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Tidewater Community College placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,001 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $35,627. Set against $14,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer science:
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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 · 122 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 122 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.
