2027 Best Value Software Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-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.
College Factual analyzed 83 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value software engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the software engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $17,527. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $55,093. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Sacramento is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #5 place for software engineering. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for software engineering value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $19,548 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $75,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,548 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Western Governors University came in at #7 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $23,277. 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 earned the #8 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,233 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $79,812. That is a strong return on a $19,233 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Portland State University placed #9 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $35,166. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $23,000. 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 ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Crookston landed the #12 spot for software engineering value this year. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $48,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California Merced came in at #13 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $58,835. That is a strong return on a $19,086 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #14 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $81,226. That is a strong return on a $20,833 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Houston landed the #15 spot for software engineering value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,582 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $80,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #16 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,248 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $16,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #17 among the best values for software engineering. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $88,785. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $81,123. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #19 among the best values for software engineering. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $60,746. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University placed #20 among the best values for software 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $21,645. 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 landed the #21 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $87,135. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #22 among the best values for software engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $20,556 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $111,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University landed the #23 spot for software engineering value this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $77,465. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #24 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $89,605. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #25 position for value in software engineering this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $77,792. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Software Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for software engineering this year:
Other Software Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value software engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All Software 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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.
