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Computer Science Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Computer Science graduates from the nation's most affordable programs earn between $33,993 and $67,101, with California State University-Fullerton leading at the top of this range despite charging just $5,646 in net costs. The CUNY system dominates the low-cost market, placing seven schools in the sub-$5,000 range, with Hunter College offering the lowest net price at $2,446 while still producing graduates earning $56,415. This earning potential reflects the tech industry's nationwide expansion beyond Silicon Valley, with major employers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google establishing engineering hubs in cities from New York to Austin. Graduation rates across these affordable programs vary dramatically, from Ohio University's regional campuses at 19-20% to Cal State Fullerton at 69%, suggesting that institutional support systems matter as much as price. The data reveals that students can access quality Computer Science education for under $6,000 annually at multiple institutions, particularly within state university systems that maintain strong industry connections.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $8,787
Net Price Range
$54,660
Avg. Program Earnings
41.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Computer Science Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
4 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
5 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
6 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
7 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
8 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
9 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
10 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
11 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
12 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
13 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
14 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
15 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
16 $5,881 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%
17 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
18 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
19 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
20 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
21 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
22 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
23 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
24 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
25 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
26 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
27 $7,075 $4,714
28 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
29 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
30 $7,349 $14,776 16.0% 45.1%
31 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
32 $7,382 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
33 $7,559 $6,920 31.1%
34 $7,563 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
35 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
36 $7,607 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
37 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
38 $8,036 $5,580 35.4% 33.3%
39 $8,130 $7,327 33.2% 88.9%
40 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
41 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
42 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
43 $8,265 $9,058 56.4% 74.4%
44 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
45 $8,365 $7,050 35.5% 57.7%
46 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
47 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
48 $8,751 $13,840 27.0% 78.8%
49 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
50 $8,787 $5,580 32.9% 44.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so affordable for Computer Science students?

CUNY schools charge exceptionally low net prices, with seven institutions under $5,000 annually and Hunter College at just $2,446. These schools benefit from substantial state funding and urban locations that reduce housing costs compared to traditional college towns. Despite the low costs, CUNY graduates earn competitive salaries, with Hunter College graduates averaging $56,415 and Queens College graduates earning $59,873.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable Computer Science programs?

Graduation rates span from 19% at Ohio University-Southern Campus to 69% at Cal State Fullerton, showing significant variation in student success. Most CUNY schools maintain graduation rates between 49-61%, while California State schools range from 46-69%. The wide gap suggests that institutional resources, academic support, and student preparation levels significantly impact completion rates even among similarly priced programs.

Does attending a low-cost Computer Science program limit earning potential?

Cal State Fullerton graduates earn $67,101 despite paying only $5,646 in net costs, proving that affordable education can lead to high salaries. Multiple schools in the $3,000-4,000 range produce graduates earning over $56,000, including CUNY Hunter, Lehman, and Queens colleges. The earning ranges demonstrate that program quality and location matter more than tuition price for Computer Science career outcomes.

Where can students find the best value in affordable Computer Science education?

New York and California offer the strongest value propositions, with CUNY schools providing sub-$4,000 education in a major tech center and Cal State schools delivering high earnings at reasonable costs. CUNY Hunter College represents the best overall value at $2,446 net cost with $56,415 graduate earnings. California schools like Fullerton and Dominguez Hills combine moderate costs with strong industry connections in the nation's largest tech market.

What debt levels should students expect from these affordable programs?

Student debt varies significantly, from $9,553 at CUNY Hunter to $21,490 at Ohio University campuses. Most CUNY schools keep debt under $18,000, while California State schools range from $12,655 to $16,589. These debt levels remain well below the national average for Computer Science programs, making these schools particularly attractive for students seeking to minimize borrowing while entering a high-demand field.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.