2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in Pennsylvania
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for computer software & applications students.
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2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Butler County Community College this year. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $41,492. That is a strong return on a $10,836 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $35,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Robert Morris University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #3 spot this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $86,750. Set against $26,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple University earned it the #4 place for computer software & applications. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for computer software & applications. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #7 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $23,529. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $70,280 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Duquesne University landed the #8 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $27,000. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $41,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
Drexel University came in at #9 for value in computer software & applications this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
