2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in Texas
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer software & applications students.
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2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer software & applications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
For return on investment in computer software & applications, no school beat El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. 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.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Vista College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,189 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $29,349 early in their careers. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $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 came in at #6 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State Technical College earned the #7 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
University Of Houston ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $23,959. Computer Software & Applications graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $33,997 early in their careers. Set against $23,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Angelo State University earned the #9 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,134. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,937 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $52,376. That is a strong return on a $20,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Southern Careers Institute Austin placed #11 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Austin, Southern Careers Institute Austin is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,110 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Southern Careers Institute Austin generally make around $31,841. That is a strong return on a $10,110 median debt.
Abilene Christian University came in at #12 for value in computer software & applications this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $56,463. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 66% 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
