by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.
El Paso Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $8,542. Early-career computer science graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $6,868. Computer Science graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #3. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lamar University one of the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. 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. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #6 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College came in at #9 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #10 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System landed the #12 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #14 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,996. Early-career computer science graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $13,750. Early-career computer science graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #18 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cameron University earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,095, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Students borrow a median of $23,967 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Cameron University earn a median of $43,122 early in their careers. Set against $23,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #21 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $84,759. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Early-career computer science graduates make about $74,815. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northeastern State University earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $93,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #25 among the best values for computer science. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer science this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.