2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in North Carolina
[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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer software & applications schools.
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2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Surry Community College earned the #1 spot for value among computer software & applications schools in North Carolina. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $9,537. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,882 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,026. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $18,883 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earn a median of $37,459 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 Appalachian State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $21,992. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $74,802 early in their careers. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at East Carolina University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #6 among the best values for computer software & applications. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $115,689. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #7 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $23,013. Computer Software & Applications graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
