2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Imperial Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among computer software & applications schools in California. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #2. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #3 place for computer software & applications. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Orange Coast College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $14,692. 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.
Cosumnes River College earned the #6 position for value in computer software & applications this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College earned the #7 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miracosta College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Antelope Valley College landed the #9 spot for computer software & applications value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College landed the #10 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
University Of California Irvine ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $21,650 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $50,958. That is a strong return on a $21,650 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
College Of The Desert ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,326, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $7,826. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $41,295. Set against $7,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego State University landed the #13 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $16,417. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Woodbury University earned the #15 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Burbank, Woodbury University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,056. Students borrow a median of $30,996 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Woodbury University earn a median of $45,051 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Woodbury University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $23,500. Computer Software & Applications graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $118,936 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Cogswell Polytechnical College landed the #17 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Cogswell Polytechnical College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $22,480. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Cogswell Polytechnical College generally make around $37,693. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
California Institute Of Arts And Technology placed #18 among the best values for computer software & applications. California Institute Of Arts And Technology is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of National City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,270. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $21,696 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $48,778.
Academy Of Art University landed the #19 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $36,858 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $43,600 early in their careers. Set against $36,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California College Of The Arts ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $60,226. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $52,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,594 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California Institute Of The Arts landed the #21 spot for computer software & applications value this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,996. Students borrow a median of $26,031 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from California Institute Of The Arts generally make around $22,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 32% of applicants are accepted.
Art Center College Of Design earned the #22 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,170. Students borrow a median of $37,803 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Art Center College Of Design earn a median of $52,659 early in their careers. Set against $37,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer software & applications education at a price that pays off.
