2026 Best Value Computational Science Schools in California
[Computational Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/computational-science/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computational science students.
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2026 Best Value Computational Science Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computational science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computational Science Schools
Leading the list is Modesto Junior College, our #1 best value for computational science in California. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $8,575. Computational Science graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computational science schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the computational science program here. Computational Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computational science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $16,539. Computational Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Diego State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computational science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Computational Science graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chapman University earned it the #5 place for computational science. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computational science graduates is $21,657. Early-career computational science graduates make about $50,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
