2026 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for computer engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Amarillo College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $15,720. Computer Engineering graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for computer engineering. 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. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $57,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. 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 Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,582 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $80,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $22,238 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $63,751. Set against $22,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #7 among the best values for computer engineering. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #8 among the best values for 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, 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. Set against $26,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #9 position for value in computer engineering this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $23,235 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $78,714. Set against $23,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #10 position for value in computer engineering 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,833 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $81,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northern Arizona University placed #11 among the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Computer Engineering graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #12 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $21,861. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #13 spot for computer engineering value this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $53,784. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for computer engineering. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $72,820. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #15 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $88,820. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $22,767. 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 #17 spot for computer engineering value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. 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.
Texas Tech University came in at #18 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $85,619. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #19 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $22,816 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $86,366. Set against $22,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #20 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,321 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
St Marys University placed #21 among the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,434. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $42,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Marys University admits about 98% of applicants.
Oklahoma Christian University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,180. Students borrow a median of $24,721 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,721 median debt. Oklahoma Christian University admits about 96% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #23 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. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $79,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Southern Methodist University earned the #24 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $130,488. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Computer Engineering Schools by State
More Computer Engineering Rankings
View All Computer Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
