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Best Value Computer Science Colleges

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

Stanford University stands as the clear outlier among Computer Science value programs, commanding a $12,136 net price while delivering $136,499 in median earnings,nearly double the next highest earner. This premium reflects the university's position in Silicon Valley, where tech giants like Google, Apple, and Meta recruit heavily from local talent pipelines. At the opposite end, CUNY Hunter College offers remarkable accessibility at just $2,446 net cost, producing graduates who earn $56,415 annually. The gap between Stanford and Hunter represents a 395% difference in net price but only a 142% difference in earnings, highlighting how public institutions can deliver strong returns on investment. California dominates the affordable options with seven Cal State campuses appearing in this ranking, benefiting from the state's $3.6 trillion economy and massive tech sector employment. The data reveals that students can access quality Computer Science education across a wide spectrum of costs, from under $3,000 to over $12,000 annually.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $19,813
Net Price Range
$73,457
Avg. Program Earnings
60.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Computer Science Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $56,415 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $3,486 $59,169 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
3 $3,659 $60,320 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
4 $3,482 $57,318 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
5 $3,830 $59,873 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
6 $5,646 $67,101 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
7 $5,115 $59,948 $7,490 32.8%
8 $12,136 $136,499 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
9 $7,131 $77,966 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
10 $4,113 $41,193 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
11 $7,599 $75,047 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
12 $5,918 $58,221 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
13 $10,898 $101,221 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
14 $8,463 $77,401 $6,270 40.7%
15 $8,896 $79,473 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
16 $5,671 $49,918 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
17 $4,734 $41,565 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
18 $5,825 $50,856 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
19 $8,257 $69,338 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
20 $6,480 $54,322 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
21 $14,979 $125,388 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
22 $16,816 $128,737 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
23 $7,669 $58,673 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
24 $9,792 $73,635 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
25 $13,485 $101,221 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
26 $11,750 $86,972 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
27 $8,931 $62,792 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
28 $9,110 $63,997 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
29 $9,325 $64,990 $8,280 24.3%
30 $11,504 $79,473 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
31 $8,916 $60,399 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
32 $10,550 $71,015 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
33 $10,170 $68,443 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
34 $15,201 $101,592 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
35 $8,130 $54,322 $7,327 33.2% 88.9%
36 $19,424 $128,737 $62,326 93.2% 7.0%
37 $6,500 $42,682 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
38 $14,852 $96,183 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
39 $10,722 $69,338 $6,391 43.0%
40 $19,813 $127,993 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
41 $10,512 $67,240 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
42 $7,237 $45,696 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
43 $10,980 $68,666 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
44 $12,932 $80,186 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
45 $13,945 $85,981 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
46 $8,364 $50,606 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
47 $10,011 $59,942 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
48 $13,339 $79,473 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
49 $13,825 $81,554 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
50 $9,121 $53,775 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools such strong value options for Computer Science?

CUNY institutions dominate the lowest-cost tier with five schools charging under $4,000 in net costs annually. Hunter College leads at $2,446 while still producing graduates earning $56,415, creating an impressive earnings-to-cost ratio. These schools benefit from New York City's massive tech job market, where companies like IBM, JPMorgan Chase, and countless startups recruit locally. The low debt loads, ranging from $9,553 to $17,750, mean graduates enter the workforce with manageable financial obligations.

How do California State universities compare in Computer Science value?

Seven Cal State campuses appear in this ranking, with net costs ranging from $3,659 at Dominguez Hills to $7,599 at Northridge. Fullerton stands out with the highest graduation rate at 69.2% and strong earnings of $67,101 annually. These schools benefit from California's tech ecosystem, which employs over 1.8 million workers and generates more than $275 billion in annual wages. The state's proximity to Silicon Valley, Los Angeles tech corridor, and San Diego's biotech sector creates abundant internship and job opportunities.

Is Stanford worth the premium price for Computer Science students?

Stanford's $12,136 net cost is five times higher than CUNY Hunter's $2,446, but graduates earn $136,499 compared to Hunter's $56,415. The 3.68% acceptance rate reflects extreme selectivity, while the 92.8% graduation rate shows strong student success. Stanford's location in Palo Alto places students at the heart of Silicon Valley, where the median software engineer salary exceeds $150,000. However, the debt load remains reasonable at $10,399, suggesting significant financial aid support.

Does graduation rate correlate with program value in Computer Science?

Graduation rates vary significantly across these programs, from 32.8% at College of Staten Island to 92.8% at Stanford. Interestingly, some lower-rate schools still deliver strong value,Utah Valley University graduates only 40.7% of students but those who complete earn $77,401 annually. Cal State Fullerton combines both high completion (69.2%) and solid earnings ($67,101), while BYU-Idaho achieves $77,966 earnings with a 55.1% graduation rate. The data suggests that completion rates don't always predict earning potential in this field.

Where do Computer Science graduates from these programs typically find employment?

These schools serve major tech employment centers across the country, from New York's financial technology sector to California's Silicon Valley and entertainment industry. University of Washington-Bothell graduates enter Seattle's booming tech scene, where Amazon and Microsoft headquarters create thousands of jobs annually. CUNY graduates often work for Wall Street firms, media companies, and the city's growing startup ecosystem. California graduates benefit from the state's 40% share of total U.S. venture capital investment, creating abundant opportunities in both established companies and emerging startups.

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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.