2027 Best Value Software Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for software engineering students.
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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
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot for value among software engineering schools in the United States. 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. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $75,692. Set against $19,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software 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.
Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. 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. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,233 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Arlington one of the best values for software engineering. 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. Software 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%.
University Of California Merced came in at #6 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #7 spot for software engineering value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $102,946 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #8 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. Software Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $81,123 early in their careers. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Carolina University earned the #9 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $22,375. Software Engineering graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $67,640 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Utah landed the #11 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $19,375. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $108,534. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #12 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,697. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $132,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #13 among the best values for software engineering. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $22,238. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $63,751. That is a strong return on a $22,238 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University placed #14 among the best values for software engineering. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,547 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $68,852 early in their careers. Set against $25,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
West Virginia University landed the #15 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $76,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University landed the #16 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $92,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $177,890. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $100,030 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #19 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,337 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $79,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $81,252 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #21 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,708 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $118,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University placed #22 among the best values for software engineering. Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #23 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $30,000. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $79,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University landed the #24 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,027 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $56,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Auburn University earned the #25 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $80,067. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Software Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for software engineering this year:
Other Software Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Software Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Software Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
