2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Southeast Region

[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer software & applications education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 143 schools to find the best return on investment for computer software & applications students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for computer software & applications in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $21,799 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $27,889. That is a strong return on a $21,799 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $19,139. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #6 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #7 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $16,142. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #8 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Surry Community College placed #9 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $9,537. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College earned the #10 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Indian River State College earned the #11 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College placed #12 among the best values for computer software & applications. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $18,123. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $44,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,366 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Set against $13,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Johns River State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Palatka. Students from in state pay about $2,591 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $16,293. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $47,807. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State College earned the #15 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $13,356. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #16 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,653. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida landed the #17 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #18 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tallahassee Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,026, while out-of-state students pay about $8,062. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $16,340. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College generally make around $40,594. Set against $16,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College landed the #20 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,404, while out-of-state students pay about $5,954. Students borrow a median of $15,716 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Georgia Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $42,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,716 median debt.
Polk State College came in at #21 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,694 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Students borrow a median of $14,806 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $49,499. That is a strong return on a $14,806 median debt.
Augusta Technical College landed the #22 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Augusta Technical College earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System placed #23 among the best values for computer software & applications. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College placed #24 among the best values for computer software & applications. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $42,501. Set against $12,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Louisiana Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $12,435. Computer Software & Applications graduates of South Louisiana Community College earn a median of $38,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for computer software & applications this year:
Narrow Computer Software & Applications Schools by State
More Computer Software & Applications Rankings
View All Computer Software & Applications Rankings >
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 · 143 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.