2026 Best Value Computer Hardware Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[Computer Hardware Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/computer-hardware-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer hardware engineering students.
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2026 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
For return on investment in computer hardware engineering, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Computer Hardware Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,497 in student loans. Early-career computer hardware engineering graduates make about $96,256. That is a strong return on a $18,497 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Oakland University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer hardware engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for computer hardware engineering graduates is $26,125. Computer Hardware Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $78,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer hardware engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Computer Hardware Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career computer hardware engineering graduates make about $81,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in computer hardware engineering will find it at Villanova University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the computer hardware engineering program here. Early-career computer hardware engineering graduates make about $122,268. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
Santa Clara University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer hardware engineering, landing the #5 spot 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. Computer Hardware Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,666 in student loans. Early-career computer hardware engineering graduates make about $154,044. That is a strong return on a $24,666 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Other Computer Hardware Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value computer hardware engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All Computer Hardware Engineering Rankings >
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
