by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer software & applications students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Santa Monica College, our #1 best value for computer software & applications in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Santa Ana College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Imperial Valley College, which ranked #3. 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. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Modesto Junior College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leeward Community College came in at #6 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $10,776. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $21,784. Set against $10,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $39,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College earned the #8 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Antelope Valley College came in at #9 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $50,744. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #11 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #12 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $19,695. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $5,500. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #15 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miracosta College landed the #16 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
Klamath Community College earned the #17 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Klamath Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,965, with out-of-state students paying around $8,025. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $14,644 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $24,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Clover Park Technical College earned the #19 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #20 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $15,500. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Walla Walla Community College earn a median of $46,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peninsula College came in at #21 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,718, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College placed #23 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,032, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edmonds Community College earned the #24 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,810, while out-of-state students pay about $10,875. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $35,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellevue College earned the #25 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $18,839. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $67,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer software & applications value ranking:
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.