2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $84,047. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general computer engineering will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $15,759. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $79,809. Set against $15,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $19,548. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $75,692 early in their careers. Set against $19,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $30,486. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $75,101. That is a strong return on a $30,486 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #6 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #7 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,127 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $141,588. That is a strong return on a $16,127 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #8 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $16,151. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $61,925. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $18,497. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $96,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #10 position for value in general computer engineering this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $66,266 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University East Bay placed #11 among the best values for general computer engineering. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $70,768. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $19,233 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $79,812. Set against $19,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #14 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $65,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #15 for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,127 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $141,588. Set against $16,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Merced landed the #16 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $19,086. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $58,835. That is a strong return on a $19,086 median debt. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #17 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $20,148. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $53,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #18 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Portland State University placed #19 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $35,166. General Computer Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $87,259 early in their careers. Set against $35,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #20 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $20,541. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $65,003 early in their careers. Set against $20,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside earned the #21 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,083. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $65,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #22 for value in general computer engineering this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $14,410 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $91,387. That is a strong return on a $14,410 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Sonoma State University came in at #23 for value in general computer engineering this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Students borrow a median of $18,031 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $51,140. That is a strong return on a $18,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #24 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $14,103 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. That is a strong return on a $14,103 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $96,418. That is a strong return on a $12,804 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general computer engineering value ranking:
Narrow General Computer Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
[General Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer engineering education at a price that pays off.
