2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for software engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in software engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Software Engineering Schools
For return on investment in software engineering, no school beat Florida Gulf Coast University this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $60,746. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at West Virginia University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $76,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #3 place for software engineering. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $109,917. That is a strong return on a $26,697 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kennesaw State University earned it the #4 place for software engineering. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $84,836. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,766. Software Engineering graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $46,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,766 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Auburn University came in at #6 for value in software engineering this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $22,125. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $80,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #7 position for value in software engineering this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $54,087. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,056. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $48,442. Software Engineering graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $45,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $48,442 median debt. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
Full Sail University placed #9 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,906 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Full Sail University generally make around $61,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in software engineering this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $25,125. Software Engineering graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $79,244 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Miami earned the #11 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earned the #12 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Students borrow a median of $26,146 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $79,276. Set against $26,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach admits about 65% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
