2026 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in the Far Western Region
[Mathematics & Computer Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/math-computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mathematics & computer science students.
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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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $18,887. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $89,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for mathematics & computer science. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $20,361. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvey Mudd College earned it the #5 place for mathematics & computer science. Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Early-career mathematics & computer science graduates make about $166,573. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Pepperdine University landed the #6 spot for mathematics & computer science value this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $23,645. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. That is a strong return on a $23,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Santa Clara University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $91,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 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.
