2027 Best Value Software Engineering Schools
[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong software engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 101 schools to find the best return on investment for software engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value Software Engineering School for You
The right software engineering school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Software Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Software Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in software engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Software Engineering Schools
For return on investment in software engineering, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $14,563. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $85,564. Set against $14,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes California State University San Marcos one of the best values for software engineering. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $17,527. Software Engineering graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #3 place for software engineering. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $17,500. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $66,266. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $84,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,548 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $75,692. That is a strong return on a $19,548 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
San Jose State University earned the #6 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Western Governors University placed #7 among the best values for software engineering. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $74,771. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Irvine placed #8 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $19,233. Software Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $79,812 early in their careers. Set against $19,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Portland State University landed the #9 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $35,166 in student loans. Software 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%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Snow College landed the #11 spot for software engineering value this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #12 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Crookston ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,661. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $48,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California Merced came in at #14 for value in software engineering this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $19,086. Software Engineering graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $58,835 early in their careers. Set against $19,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #15 among the best values for software engineering. 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. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $81,226 early in their careers. Set against $20,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #16 position for value in software engineering this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $21,582. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $80,438. Set against $21,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #17 among the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $16,248. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology landed the #18 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $9,915. Software Engineering graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $48,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,915 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Capital Community College earned the #19 position for value in software engineering this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $12,059. Software Engineering graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #20 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $10,750. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $88,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #21 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $25,000. Software Engineering graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $60,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University placed #22 among the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #23 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $21,750. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $87,135. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,556 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $111,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #25 for value in software engineering this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $102,946 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Software Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in software engineering:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Software Engineering. See all related rankings.
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 · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 101 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.
