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Cheapest Computer and Information Sciences Colleges in Texas

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas stands out with a remarkable net cost of just $1,113 for Computer and Information Sciences, General students, creating an extraordinary value gap of over $11,000 compared to schools like UT San Antonio. This affordability comes at a time when Texas leads the nation in technology job growth, with major employers like Dell, AT&T, and IBM expanding their workforce across the state. The 20 programs span from ultra-affordable community colleges in South Texas to full universities in major metros. Earnings potential varies dramatically, with University of Houston-Victoria graduates averaging $63,005 while UT Rio Grande Valley graduates start at $28,019. Most programs maintain high acceptance rates above 90%, making computer science education accessible to students across different academic backgrounds. The concentration of affordable options in border regions reflects Texas's growing tech corridor along the Rio Grande Valley, where software development and IT services support both domestic and international markets.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $25,255
Net Price Range
$57,531
Avg. Program Earnings
46.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
2 $1,291 $4,920 27.6%
3 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
4 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
5 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%
6 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
7 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
8 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
9 $10,409 $11,720 15.1%
10 $10,650 $10,008 10.7%
11 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
12 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
13 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
14 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
15 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
16 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
17 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
18 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
19 $12,637 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
20 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
21 $12,714 $14,520 99.2%
22 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
23 $13,853 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
24 $13,931 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
25 $14,041 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
26 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
27 $14,623 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
28 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
29 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
30 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
31 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
32 $17,435 $14,564 70.8% 84.7%
33 $17,517 $13,920 50.0%
34 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
35 $18,264 $14,842 45.5%
36 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
37 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
38 $19,734 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
39 $19,847 $14,703 36.1% 51.9%
40 $19,988 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
41 $20,071 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
42 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
43 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
44 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
45 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
46 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
47 $21,998 $17,692 45.5%
48 $23,636 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
49 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
50 $25,255 $33,322 31.1% 62.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Texas A&M University-Central Texas offers a net cost of $1,113 while UT San Antonio costs $11,234, creating a $10,121 gap primarily due to financial aid distribution and regional cost structures. Public institutions in smaller Texas cities typically offer lower base tuition and more generous need-based aid packages. The three cheapest schools are all located in border regions or smaller metro areas where operational costs remain significantly lower than major cities like Houston or Dallas.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Texas computer science programs?

Counter-intuitively, some of the most affordable programs show concerning graduation rates, with Texas College at 10.7% and Jarvis Christian University at 15.1% despite net costs around $10,500. Mid-tier cost schools like UT San Antonio achieve 51.2% graduation rates at $11,234 net cost. The data suggests that extremely low-cost programs may lack sufficient support resources, while moderate increases in investment can yield substantially better completion outcomes.

Is University of Houston-Victoria worth the higher cost for computer science students?

At $8,624 net cost, UH-Victoria produces graduates earning $63,005 annually, the highest among affordable Texas programs and more than double the $28,019 earned by UT Rio Grande Valley graduates. The return on investment calculation shows UH-Victoria graduates recover their education costs in approximately 2.5 months of work. However, the 26.5% graduation rate suggests students should carefully evaluate their academic preparedness before enrolling.

Does acceptance rate affect program quality in Texas computer science schools?

Most affordable Texas computer science programs maintain acceptance rates above 90%, with UT El Paso accepting 99.92% of applicants while still producing graduates earning $60,623 annually. University of Houston-Clear Lake stands out with a 69.37% acceptance rate and $45,696 graduate earnings, suggesting more selective admissions. The high acceptance rates reflect Texas's commitment to accessible computer science education rather than indicating lower academic standards.

Where should students focus their applications for the best value in Texas computer science programs?

Students should prioritize UT El Paso ($10,726 net cost, $60,623 earnings, 45.9% graduation rate) and University of Houston-Victoria ($8,624 net cost, $63,005 earnings) for optimal value combinations. Both schools offer strong earning potential while maintaining reasonable costs and acceptance rates above 80%. Texas A&M-Central Texas provides the lowest cost option at $1,113, but students should verify program completion support given the relatively new campus structure.

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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.