2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in North Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer science students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in North Carolina
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 University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,131 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $90,293. That is a strong return on a $14,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. 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%.
North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,302 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $83,521. Set against $26,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $50,940. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Computer Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $38,417 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #6 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #7 position for value in computer science this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,970. Early-career computer science graduates make about $48,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University came in at #8 for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $28,892. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #9 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #10 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $65,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $68,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,073 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $97,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,073 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #14 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $24,819 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $76,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College earned the #15 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $40,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
Wake Forest University earned the #16 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,674. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $75,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $13,500. Computer Science graduates of Duke University earn a median of $133,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
High Point University came in at #18 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,312. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $113,352. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
Elon University placed #19 among the best values for computer science. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,958. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $21,619. Computer Science graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,619 median debt. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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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 · 19 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.
