2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology
Lancaster, PA

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earned the #1 spot for value among software engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,915 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $48,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.

2

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned it the #2 place for software engineering. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $67,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

3

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
Erie, PA

Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.

5

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rochester Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for software engineering. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $90,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.

6

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, PA

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for value in software engineering this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Scranton
Scranton, PA

University Of Scranton landed the #7 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,500. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $56,861. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

8

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,670 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $59,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.

9

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University placed #9 among the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.

10

Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY

Clarkson University earned the #10 position for value in software engineering this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,398. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $27,000. Software Engineering graduates of Clarkson University earn a median of $80,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

11

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in software engineering this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.

12

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #12 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $101,510. Set against $28,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

13

Stevens Institute Of Technology
Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,462. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,930 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $106,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants.

14

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $108,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.