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2026 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in California

42 Colleges in the United States
$15,802 Avg Student Debt
$53,969 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Badge [Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 228 schools to find the best return on investment for computer & information sciences students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in California

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools

1

San Diego Miramar College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools in California. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,098. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

3
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

4
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.

5

A rank of #5 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

6
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

7
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #7 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

8

Irvine Valley College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

10
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #10 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.

11

Mt San Antonio College came in at #11 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

College Of The Sequoias landed the #12 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,288. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #13 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Fresno City College placed #14 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

15

San Diego City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College placed #16 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College landed the #17 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Imperial Valley College came in at #18 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College came in at #19 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.

20

Pasadena City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Santiago Canyon College landed the #21 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

22

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $48,988 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

23
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College earned the #23 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $21,500. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

24
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:

26
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA
27
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
28
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA
29
30
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
31
32
33
34
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
35
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
36
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
37
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
38
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
39
40
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
41
42
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA
43
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
44
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
45
46
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA
47
Porterville College crest
Porterville College
Porterville, CA
48
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
49
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
50
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA

View All Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 228 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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