[Computational Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/computational-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computational science students.
Finding the Best Value Computational Science School for You
The right computational science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Computational Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Computational Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in computational science in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Computational Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for computational science. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the computational science program here. Computational Science graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computational science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the computational science program here. Computational Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computational science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the computational science program here. Early-career computational science graduates make about $69,785. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny New York City College Of Technology one of the best values for computational science. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in computational science this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $21,792. Computational Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #7 position for value in computational science this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the computational science program here. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #8 for value in computational science this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the computational science program here. Computational Science graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $90,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #9 for value in computational science this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $23,146. Early-career computational science graduates make about $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Washington State University came in at #10 for value in computational science this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Early-career computational science graduates make about $54,697. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #11 for value in computational science this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $23,138. Early-career computational science graduates make about $121,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #12 among the best values for computational science. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the computational science program here. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #13 position for value in computational science this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #14 position for value in computational science this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the computational science program here. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $132,969. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University came in at #15 for value in computational science this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $24,518. Computational Science graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Montclair State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value computational science schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $25,286. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort placed #17 among the best values for computational science. Located in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,730, while out-of-state students pay about $21,776. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $27,971 in student loans. Computational Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. Set against $27,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #18 spot for computational science value this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the computational science program here. Early-career computational science graduates make about $60,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Georgia State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value computational science schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $26,091. Early-career computational science graduates make about $51,103. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine placed #20 among the best values for computational science. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $25,984. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Stony Brook University placed #21 among the best values for computational science. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $20,537. Early-career computational science graduates make about $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #22 position for value in computational science this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $21,275. Early-career computational science graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas came in at #23 for value in computational science this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $24,019. Computational Science graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #24 position for value in computational science this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #25 position for value in computational science this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $23,496. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Computational Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computational science:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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).
[Computational Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/computational-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
