2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the New England Region

1

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. 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.

2

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #2 place for software engineering. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $177,890. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern University earned it the #4 place for software engineering. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $25,005. Software Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $99,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

5

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at Southern New Hampshire University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,200. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,103 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $53,211. That is a strong return on a $29,103 median debt. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.

6

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #6 for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $17,074. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.

7

Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University placed #7 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,687 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $66,305 early in their careers. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.