2026 Best Value Computer & IS Security Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & is security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer & IS Security Schools
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in computer & is security in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for computer & is security. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & is security, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $10,928. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro 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 Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $14,557. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for computer & is security. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the computer & is security program here. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #6 among the best values for computer & is security. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the computer & is security program here. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College placed #7 among the best values for computer & is security. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #8 for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Set in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,372, with out-of-state students paying around $3,268. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $11,110. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $17,665 in student loans. Computer & Is Security graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,665 median debt.
St Philips College came in at #11 for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #12 for value in computer & is security this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College placed #13 among the best values for computer & is security. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yavapai College landed the #15 spot for computer & is security value this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College placed #16 among the best values for computer & is security. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College landed the #17 spot for computer & is security value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Computer & Is Security graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #18 for value in computer & is security this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Collin County Community College District earned the #19 position for value in computer & is security this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $9,716. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Cochise College came in at #20 for value in computer & is security this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College landed the #21 spot for computer & is security value this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the computer & is security program here. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Panola College earned the #22 position for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072.
Weatherford College came in at #23 for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $10,860. Students borrow a median of $14,099 to complete the computer & is security program here. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $48,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College came in at #24 for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Computer & Is Security graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Lone Star College System placed #25 among the best values for computer & is security. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer & IS Security Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer & is security value ranking:
Narrow Computer & IS Security Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer & is security education at a price that pays off.
