2027 Best Value Computer Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

[Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 88 schools to find the best return on investment for computer engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in computer engineering in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,497 in student loans. 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. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $19,548 to complete the computer engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for computer engineering. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $113,000. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $156,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for computer engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $23,000. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $76,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,327. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $79,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
California State University Fresno ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,486 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $75,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Oakland University came in at #8 for value in computer engineering this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $78,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida International University came in at #9 for value in computer engineering this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $18,948. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $99,961. Set against $18,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #10 for value in computer engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $19,233 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, 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 South Florida Main Campus landed the #12 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $27,250. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $83,660 early in their careers. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #13 position for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,148. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $53,180. Set against $20,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Merced earned the #14 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $19,086. Soon after graduation, 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.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $81,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,947 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $73,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,947 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #17 position for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $102,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside earned the #18 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,083. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $65,049 early in their careers. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Arizona State University came in at #19 for value in computer engineering this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $81,123. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas landed the #20 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,235 in student loans. 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. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #22 among the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $71,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #23 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $49,983. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for computer engineering value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,247 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $83,342 early in their careers. Set against $20,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for computer engineering this year:
Other Computer Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Computer Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Computer Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 88 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.