2026 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in the Far Western Region
[Mathematics & Computer Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/math-computer-science/mathematics-and-computer-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.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mathematics & computer science schools.
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2026 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mathematics & computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools
For return on investment in mathematics & computer science, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $18,887. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $89,651 early in their careers. Set against $18,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #2 place for mathematics & computer science. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for mathematics & computer science. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $16,539. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Washington University earned it the #4 place for mathematics & computer science. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $41,118. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Harvey Mudd College one of the best values for mathematics & computer science. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from Harvey Mudd College generally make around $166,573. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Harvey Mudd College admits about 13% of applicants.
Pepperdine University placed #6 among the best values for mathematics & computer science. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Set against $23,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Santa Clara University earned the #7 position for value in mathematics & computer science this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $21,500. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $91,851. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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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 · 21 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.
