2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in Virginia
[General Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general computer engineering schools.
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2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among general computer engineering schools in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,360 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $70,298 early in their careers. Set against $23,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the best values for general computer engineering. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $26,697. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $109,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $82,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in general computer engineering will find it at Christopher Newport University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $41,656. Set against $25,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $16,875. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $118,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #6 for value in general computer engineering this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $86,636. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 5 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.
