2027 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in California
[Mathematics & Computer Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/math-computer-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mathematics & computer science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for mathematics & computer science students.
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2027 Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mathematics & computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mathematics & Computer Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in mathematics & computer science in California. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $89,651. Set against $18,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for mathematics & computer science. 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. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvey Mudd College earned it the #3 place for mathematics & computer science. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $23,000. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Harvey Mudd College earn a median of $166,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Clara University earned it the #4 place for mathematics & computer science. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mathematics & computer science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, mathematics & computer science degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $91,851. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Pepperdine University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mathematics & computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete the mathematics & computer science program here. Mathematics & Computer Science graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
More Mathematics & Computer Science Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
