by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer software & applications students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer software & applications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Santa Monica College tops our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools in California. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,196. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #3 spot this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Modesto Junior College earned it the #4 place for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #5 spot this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College came in at #7 for value in computer software & applications this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #8 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #9 for value in computer software & applications this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #10 for value in computer software & applications this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Cosumnes River College placed #11 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. 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. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miracosta College landed the #13 spot for computer software & applications value this year. 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, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Cabrillo College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,270, while out-of-state students pay about $9,862. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $10,425. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $47,750. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Southern California landed the #16 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $118,936. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Cogswell Polytechnical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Cogswell Polytechnical College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $22,480 in tuition and fees. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $37,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Woodbury University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Burbank, Woodbury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,056 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $30,996. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Woodbury University generally make around $45,051. Set against $30,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Woodbury University admits about 82% of applicants.
California Institute Of Arts And Technology placed #19 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the suburb of National City, California Institute Of Arts And Technology is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,270 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $21,696. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from California Institute Of Arts And Technology generally make around $48,778.
Academy Of Art University placed #20 among the best values for computer software & applications. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Students borrow a median of $36,858 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $43,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,858 median debt.
California Institute Of The Arts ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,996 in tuition and fees. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $26,031 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $22,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 32%.
Art Center College Of Design earned the #22 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,170 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $37,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Santa Clara University landed the #23 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $20,144. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
California College Of The Arts ranked #24 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,226. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $52,838. Set against $27,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.