[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) 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 240 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer software & applications students.
Finding the Best Value Computer Software & Applications School for You
The right computer software & applications school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in computer software & applications in the United States. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,211 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,477 early in their careers. Set against $11,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for computer software & applications. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Atlanta Technical College one of the best values for computer software & applications. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $17,655. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #6 for value in computer software & applications this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #7 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $21,799. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $27,889. Set against $21,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College earned the #10 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #11 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #12 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $16,142. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #14 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College came in at #15 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #16 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,214 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $20,919. Set against $6,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College placed #17 among the best values for computer software & applications. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $9,191. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Indian River State College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College came in at #20 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,967. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #21 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Leeward Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Leeward Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pearl City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,214, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,776 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Leeward Community College earn a median of $21,784 early in their careers. Set against $10,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #23 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,492. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northwest Vista College came in at #24 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,189 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $29,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,189 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #25 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer software & applications:
The ranking above is published 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 · 240 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 240 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).
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) 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.
