2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Associate’s Degree Schools
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer software & applications education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 728 schools to find the best return on investment for computer software & applications students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer software & applications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
For return on investment in computer software & applications, no school beat Florida State College At Jacksonville this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $19,139. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $17,611. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for computer software & applications. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $21,799 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $27,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,799 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College landed the #6 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,211 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $41,477. That is a strong return on a $11,211 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #7 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carroll Community College came in at #9 for value in computer software & applications this year. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $49,058. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College earned the #10 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #11 for value in computer software & applications this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #12 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $6,214. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $20,919. Set against $6,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for value in computer software & applications this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,995. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College earned the #15 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #16 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $14,786. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,967. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College landed the #19 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #20 for value in computer software & applications this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College landed the #21 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,283. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $39,679. That is a strong return on a $16,486 median debt.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #23 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,366 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Set against $13,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Leeward Community College came in at #24 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $10,776. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Leeward Community College generally make around $21,784. Set against $10,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College ranked #25 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $10,492. 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer software & applications:
Other Computer Software & Applications Degree Levels
Explore the best-value computer software & applications schools at other degree levels:
View All Computer Software & Applications Rankings >
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 · 728 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
