2027 Best Value General Computer Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[General Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general computer engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
University Of California San Diego tops our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,497 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $96,256. Set against $18,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,548 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $75,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general computer engineering will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. 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 $113,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $156,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $76,819 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #6 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,327. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $79,022. Set against $25,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #7 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $30,486. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $75,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Oakland University placed #8 among the best values for general computer engineering. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $26,125. General Computer Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $78,709 early in their careers. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #9 among the best values for general computer engineering. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,948 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $99,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,233 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $79,812. That is a strong return on a $19,233 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $27,250. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $83,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #13 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $20,148 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $53,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Merced earned the #14 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #15 among the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $20,833. General Computer Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $81,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,833 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #16 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $102,946. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #17 among the best values for general computer engineering. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $26,947 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $73,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside came in at #18 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,083. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $65,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #19 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $26,972. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $81,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $23,235. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $78,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #21 among the best values for general computer engineering. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $71,117. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #22 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $19,738. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $49,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #23 position for value in general computer engineering this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $67,640. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $20,247. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $83,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #25 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,547 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $68,852. That is a strong return on a $25,547 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general computer engineering value ranking:
Other General Computer Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Computer Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All General Computer Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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.
