2026 Best Value Other Computer Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

[Other Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/other-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for other computer engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Other Computer Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other computer engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Computer Engineering Schools
For return on investment in other computer engineering, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,497 to complete the other computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, other computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $18,497 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Merced one of the best values for other computer engineering. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $19,086 to complete the other computer engineering program here. Early-career other computer engineering graduates make about $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for other computer engineering. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Other Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,233 in student loans. Other Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $79,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,233 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Portland State University earned it the #4 place for other computer engineering. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Other Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $35,166 in student loans. Other Computer Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in other computer engineering will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Other Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,103 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $14,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #6 among the best values for other computer engineering. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $23,392 to complete the other computer engineering program here. Early-career other computer engineering graduates make about $100,363. That is a strong return on a $23,392 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.