by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer & IS Security](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-technology/computer-is-security/) 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 80 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer & is security schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & is security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools in California. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #3 place for computer & is security. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
San Diego City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & is security, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #7 for value in computer & is security this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #9 position for value in computer & is security this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College placed #11 among the best values for computer & is security. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
College Of The Redwoods placed #12 among the best values for computer & is security. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $20,000. Computer & Is Security graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Computer & Is Security graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
American River College came in at #14 for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College earned the #15 position for value in computer & is security this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #16 spot for computer & is security value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College earned the #17 position for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College placed #18 among the best values for computer & is security. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the computer & is security program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District placed #19 among the best values for computer & is security. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Palomar College placed #20 among the best values for computer & is security. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Chaffey College earned the #21 position for value in computer & is security this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Miracosta College placed #22 among the best values for computer & is security. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Computer & Is Security graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
West Los Angeles College came in at #25 for value in computer & is security this year. West Los Angeles College is a large public school located in the suburb of Culver City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $65,978.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer & is security this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.