2027 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer software & applications students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in computer software & applications in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,211. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Vista College earned it the #3 place for computer software & applications. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $9,189. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $29,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #4 spot this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #5 place for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Collin County Community College District earned the #6 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $9,716. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $42,177. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center placed #7 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #8 for value in computer software & applications this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $15,996. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Mesa Community College landed the #9 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #10 for value in computer software & applications this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #11 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Texas State Technical College landed the #12 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $40,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University landed the #14 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #15 position for value in computer software & applications this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $23,959. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $33,997. That is a strong return on a $23,959 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Tulsa ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of University Of Tulsa earn a median of $62,482 early in their careers. Set against $23,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #17 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $22,715 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $44,645. That is a strong return on a $22,715 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $20,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $52,376. Set against $20,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Canadian Valley Technology Center came in at #19 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the rural area of El Reno, Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,777.
American Intercontinental University Online ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. Students borrow a median of $39,107 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $43,008. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.
Abilene Christian University placed #21 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Southern Careers Institute San Antonio Nw Loop earned the #22 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Southern Careers Institute San Antonio Nw Loop is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $8,155 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $23,849. Set against $8,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earned the #23 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $24,288 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $66,620 early in their careers. Set against $24,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 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.
