Cheapest Computational Science Colleges

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers the nation's most affordable Computational Science program at just $3,046 net cost annually, creating an unusual pathway where crime analysis meets algorithmic thinking. The $15,119 gap between this lowest-cost option and expensive programs like Northern Arizona University at $14,922 reveals how institutional type and location dramatically affect affordability. Public universities dominate the affordable tier, with 13 of the 15 cheapest programs coming from state institutions. The Northeast corridor, home to major financial firms and tech companies, provides abundant internship opportunities for computational science students, particularly those studying data analysis and modeling techniques. Florida State University stands out with an 83% graduation rate despite its $10,997 net cost, suggesting that affordable programs can still deliver strong outcomes. Students entering this field typically earn around $67,660 annually, making the low-cost education options particularly valuable for return on investment.

Programs

$3,046 – $41,945

Net Price Range

$67,660

Avg. Program Earnings

64.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

40 Computational Science Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, New York	$3,046	$7,470	55.5%	50.7%
2	CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, New York	$4,783	$7,332	19.4%	81.8%
3	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas	$6,500	$9,859	49.3%	87.7%
4	Millikin University Decatur, Illinois	$8,837	$26,892	59.1%	75.4%
5	University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, Michigan	$10,904	$14,944	56.6%	54.1%
6	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	$10,997	$5,656	83.0%	25.0%
7	University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, Maine	$11,353	$8,618	23.3%
8	Augustana College Rock Island, Illinois	$12,437	$49,834	79.2%	61.2%
9	University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Mayaguez, Puerto Rico	$12,684	$5,274	47.0%	54.4%
10	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas	$13,085	$7,754	55.1%	69.5%
11	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
12	Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey	$14,159	$14,766	64.3%	91.3%
13	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
14	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
15	Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona	$14,922	$12,652	56.9%	80.0%
16	University of South Carolina Beaufort Bluffton, South Carolina	$15,309	$10,730	38.6%	80.0%
17	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan	$17,084	$15,510	45.5%	83.2%
18	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$17,525	$9,748	70.0%	78.9%
19	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
20	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
21	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
22	Stockton University Galloway, New Jersey	$19,634	$15,532	72.0%	85.5%
23	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
24	Asbury University Wilmore, Kentucky	$20,428	$33,640	65.0%	78.7%
25	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	$20,751	$15,988	82.2%	88.0%
26	Loras College Dubuque, Iowa	$21,057	$38,298	69.9%	89.8%
27	Le Moyne College Syracuse, New York	$21,547	$38,970	71.0%	78.3%
28	Anderson University Anderson, Indiana	$22,144	$35,640	49.4%	51.8%
29	Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey	$22,185	$15,700	68.3%	76.9%
30	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350	$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
31	Hood College Frederick, Maryland	$23,707	$45,870	55.3%	77.9%
32	Augustana University Sioux Falls, South Dakota	$24,723	$39,190	75.6%	65.8%
33	Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania	$26,198	$36,842	77.1%	81.1%
34	Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,219	$22,082	74.7%	79.7%
35	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	$30,248	$64,348	84.5%	38.9%
36	Siena College Loudonville, New York	$32,697	$44,405	75.8%	80.4%
37	Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$34,978	$47,146	75.5%	87.5%
38	Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts	$35,435	$67,844	93.3%	9.7%
39	Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, Indiana	$40,665	$56,674	81.7%	73.0%
40	American University Washington, District of Columbia	$41,945	$56,543	78.5%	40.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY John Jay's $3,046 computational science program so affordable?

CUNY John Jay benefits from New York state funding and urban efficiency, keeping costs low despite its prime location. The college also maintains a 50.66% acceptance rate, making it accessible to many students. However, the 55.5% graduation rate suggests students should prepare for academic rigor. The program combines crime data analysis with computational methods, creating a specialized niche.

How do private schools like Millikin University compete at $8,837 net cost?

Millikin University offers substantial financial aid, reducing its $26,892 sticker price to just $8,837 for the average student. The school maintains a 59.1% graduation rate and 75.4% acceptance rate, providing a middle-ground option. Private institutions often provide smaller class sizes and more personalized attention. This makes Millikin competitive with public options while offering a different educational experience.

Is Florida State University's 83% graduation rate worth the $10,997 cost?

Florida State University delivers the highest graduation rate among affordable computational science programs, nearly 30 percentage points above the group average. The school's selective 25.04% acceptance rate indicates strong academic standards and peer quality. Students benefit from Florida's growing tech sector and aerospace industry connections. The $10,997 net cost represents excellent value given the high completion rates and career outcomes.

Does geographic location affect computational science program costs?

Texas and Wisconsin schools cluster in the $13,000-14,000 range, showing regional cost consistency. CUNY programs in New York offer the lowest costs despite high living expenses in the area. Southern schools like Arkansas State University and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley provide mid-range options around $6,500-13,000. Geographic clustering suggests that state funding formulas and regional economic factors significantly influence program pricing.

Where can students find the best balance of cost and graduation rates?

University of Michigan-Dearborn offers solid value with a 56.6% graduation rate at $10,904 net cost. Augustana College provides the second-highest graduation rate at 79.2% for $12,437. Arkansas State University delivers a 55.1% graduation rate for just $13,085. These three schools represent different institutional types but all maintain reasonable completion rates while keeping costs manageable.

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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.