2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
For return on investment in computer software & applications, no school beat Clover Park Technical College this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. 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. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peninsula College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #3 spot this year. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. Students from in state pay about $4,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,270 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $51,243. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Spokane Community College came in at #4 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, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. 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.
Clark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #5 spot this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $43,768. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tacoma Community College came in at #6 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earned the #7 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,418, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everett Community College landed the #8 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $47,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,542 median debt.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #9 spot for computer software & applications value this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $14,500. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $47,112. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue College came in at #10 for value in computer software & applications this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Students borrow a median of $18,839 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $67,771 early in their careers. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Washington University placed #11 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $23,250. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $29,046. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University landed the #12 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $52,713. Set against $25,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle came in at #13 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,800. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $12,000. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle earn a median of $24,750 early in their careers. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Digipen Institute Of Technology came in at #14 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Redmond, Digipen Institute Of Technology is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,950. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Digipen Institute Of Technology generally make around $81,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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/) 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.
