2027 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology
Lancaster, PA

For return on investment in software engineering, no school beat Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology this year. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 71%.

2

Gannon University
Erie, PA

Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at Gannon University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,934. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $73,658. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.

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. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,708. Software Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $101,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, PA

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,574 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
Erie, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned it the #5 place for software engineering. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,708. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College generally make around $85,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.

6

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #6 spot for software engineering value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. 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. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

7

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in software engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $26,708 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,523. Set against $26,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

8

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $28,166. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $101,510. That is a strong return on a $28,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

9

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #9 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $108,248. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.