2027 Best Value Computer Hardware Engineering Schools
[Computer Hardware Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/computer-hardware-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer hardware engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for computer hardware engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value Computer Hardware Engineering School for You
Where you study computer hardware engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Computer Hardware Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Computer Hardware Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Computer Hardware Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer hardware engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Hardware Engineering Schools
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value computer hardware engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,563 to complete the computer hardware engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer hardware engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $85,564. Set against $14,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value computer hardware engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Computer Hardware Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer hardware engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $78,709. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for computer hardware engineering. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,497 to complete the computer hardware engineering program here. Early-career computer hardware engineering graduates make about $96,256. That is a strong return on a $18,497 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value computer hardware engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the computer hardware engineering program here. Early-career computer hardware engineering graduates make about $81,252. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer hardware engineering schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Computer Hardware Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Computer Hardware Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Kettering University landed the #6 spot for computer hardware engineering value this year. Set in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,425 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,984 to complete the computer hardware engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer hardware engineering degree recipients from Kettering University generally make around $82,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kettering University admits about 79% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for value in computer hardware engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical student debt for computer hardware engineering graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, computer hardware engineering degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $90,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Villanova University placed #8 among the best values for computer hardware engineering. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Typical student debt for computer hardware engineering graduates is $26,000. Early-career computer hardware engineering graduates make about $72,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University earned the #9 position for value in computer hardware engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,666 to complete the computer hardware engineering program here. Early-career computer hardware engineering graduates make about $128,924. That is a strong return on a $24,666 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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Computer Hardware Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
