2027 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

[Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for computer engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Texas A And M International University tops our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $16,055. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $57,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,833. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $81,226. That is a strong return on a $20,833 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #4 place for computer engineering. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $26,947. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $73,639. That is a strong return on a $26,947 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $19,819. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $102,946. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #6 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,582 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $80,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University placed #7 among the best values for computer engineering. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arizona State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $26,972. Computer Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $81,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #9 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,824 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #10 among the best values for computer engineering. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $22,767 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $70,904. Set against $22,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #11 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $23,235. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $78,714. That is a strong return on a $23,235 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arizona came in at #13 for value in computer engineering this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $21,861. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #14 position for value in computer engineering this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $22,238 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $63,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #15 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $88,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $23,000. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $72,820. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #17 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $85,619 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,816 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $86,366. That is a strong return on a $22,816 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #19 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Oklahoma Christian University came in at #20 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,180. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,721 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Grand Canyon University earned the #21 position for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $56,285. That is a strong return on a $30,027 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Advancing Technology came in at #22 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,800 in tuition and fees. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,802 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Advancing Technology earn a median of $40,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ashford University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $39,515. Computer Engineering graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $48,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #24 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $79,276. That is a strong return on a $26,146 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University earned the #25 position for value in computer engineering this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $130,488 early in their careers. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.