Skip to main content

Best Value Computer Engineering Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Computer Engineering students can earn their degrees for as little as $3,486 annually at CUNY City College, yet graduates from University of Washington-Bothell command starting salaries of $120,252. This 34x cost-to-earnings ratio reflects the field's strong job market across different geographic regions. Public universities dominate the value equation, with 13 of the top 15 programs offering in-state tuition under $8,000. California State schools particularly stand out, placing six programs in this ranking despite varying graduate earnings from $45,600 to $71,015. The West Coast's concentration of tech companies creates natural pipelines for these graduates, while acceptance rates ranging from Princeton's selective 5.7% to Utah Valley's open-access 95.43% show the field welcomes students across academic backgrounds. Florida International University demonstrates how regional tech hubs beyond Silicon Valley offer solid returns, with graduates earning $72,274 after paying just $6,565 in-state tuition.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $15,624
Net Price Range
$73,651
Avg. Program Earnings
66.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Computer Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $52,733 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $6,351 $77,715 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
3 $10,898 $120,252 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
4 $10,555 $103,078 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%
5 $6,480 $63,005 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
6 $7,599 $71,015 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
7 $13,485 $120,252 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
8 $8,463 $73,949 $6,270 40.7%
9 $7,131 $61,516 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
10 $8,896 $74,262 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
11 $5,918 $47,846 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
12 $9,133 $72,274 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
13 $5,825 $45,600 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
14 $8,155 $63,005 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
15 $8,931 $68,499 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
16 $10,512 $78,343 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
17 $6,500 $47,846 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
18 $8,001 $58,221 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
19 $14,013 $97,071 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
20 $10,043 $68,727 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
21 $11,750 $79,688 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
22 $10,904 $73,949 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
23 $10,997 $71,015 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
24 $11,504 $74,262 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
25 $13,289 $83,270 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
26 $11,234 $68,907 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
27 $11,408 $69,338 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
28 $14,487 $87,604 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
29 $9,957 $60,061 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
30 $15,624 $93,964 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
31 $10,650 $63,749 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
32 $12,932 $76,460 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
33 $10,319 $59,722 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
34 $12,791 $73,635 $8,370 47.5% 85.9%
35 $13,741 $78,074 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
36 $13,181 $74,576 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
37 $12,684 $71,734 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
38 $13,584 $76,460 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
39 $11,056 $61,814 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
40 $13,339 $74,262 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
41 $13,825 $76,773 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
42 $13,670 $75,804 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
43 $15,201 $84,100 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
44 $12,869 $71,015 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
45 $11,580 $63,501 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
46 $12,840 $69,338 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
47 $15,288 $82,440 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
48 $12,882 $69,338 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
49 $14,832 $79,389 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
50 $13,773 $73,112 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for the massive salary difference between Computer Engineering programs?

Geographic location drives the largest salary variations, with University of Washington graduates earning $120,252 compared to $45,600 at Cal State Bakersfield. West Coast proximity to major tech employers significantly impacts starting salaries. Even within California, northern programs typically show higher earnings than Central Valley locations. Regional cost of living adjustments also factor into these salary differences.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Computer Engineering?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation rates, with Princeton achieving 97.1% compared to Utah Valley's 40.7%. University of Florida combines both affordability at $6,381 in-state and a strong 91.5% graduation rate. Most programs under $8,000 annual cost maintain graduation rates between 54-69%. The correlation suggests that institutional resources impact student success beyond just program quality.

Is student debt a major concern for Computer Engineering graduates?

Most graduates carry modest debt loads relative to their earning potential, with typical amounts ranging from $13,421 to $24,000. University of Washington students graduate with just $15,422 in debt while earning $120,252 annually. California State programs show debt levels between $17,129 and $24,000, easily manageable with their graduates' $47,846 to $71,015 salaries. The debt-to-income ratios remain favorable across all programs.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality in Computer Engineering?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from Princeton's elite 5.7% to several programs exceeding 90%, yet all produce employable graduates. University of Washington-Seattle maintains selectivity at 47.52% while achieving 83.7% graduation rates and top-tier salaries. Cal State Long Beach balances moderate selectivity at 39.95% with solid outcomes. Open-access programs like Utah Valley still produce graduates earning $73,949 annually.

Where do public universities offer the best Computer Engineering value?

California dominates with six programs offering strong value, though earnings vary significantly by campus location. University of Florida provides the best combination of low cost at $6,381 and high graduation rate at 91.5%. Washington state programs command the highest salaries at $120,252 but require higher net costs around $10,898-$13,485. Florida and California systems offer the most consistent value propositions for in-state students.

More Computer Engineering Rankings

Cheapest Computer Engineering Computer Engineering Under $20,000

Related

All Computer Engineering Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

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