2027 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in Arizona
[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for software engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in Arizona
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 Northern Arizona University this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $81,123. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #4 makes Grand Canyon University one of the best values for software engineering. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. That is a strong return on a $30,027 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Advancing Technology came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,800. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,802 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $40,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ashford University landed the #6 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $39,515. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $48,441. That is a strong return on a $39,515 median debt.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #7 spot for software engineering value this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,974 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,146. Software Engineering graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $79,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
