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Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

20 Schools Ranked
$10,947 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$19,369 Avg Student Debt*

There are so many computer science programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking is one of many tools that Computer Science Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 20 schools in the Southwest Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for computer science students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

137 Total Awards
$5,104 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Collin County Community College District the best value school in the Southwest Region for computer science students working on their associate degree. McKinney, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 137 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,104 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,379 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Collin County Community College District, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Collin County Community College District also made our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list, coming in at #3.

Read full report on Collin County Community College District

#2

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
292 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend El Centro College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Dallas, Texas, the large public school handed out 292 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,961 in student loans.

El Centro College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on El Centro College

630 Total Awards
$9,552 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. UOPX - Arizona is located in Tempe, Arizona and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 630 associate degrees to qualified students.

UOPX - Arizona undergraduate students pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,839 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

UOPX - Arizona does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.

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#4

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas
186 Total Awards
$8,235 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 20 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Tarrant County College District landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the large public school awarded 186 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Tarrant County College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,235 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,198 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Tarrant County College. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Tarrant County College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.

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#5

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
23 Total Awards
$4,704 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Amarillo College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Amarillo College is a medium-sized public school located in Amarillo, Texas that handed out 23 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Amarillo College are $4,704 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,641 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Amarillo College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Amarillo College

#6

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
148 Total Awards
$6,168 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Lone Star College System did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. North Harris Montgomery is a large public school situated in The Woodlands, Texas. It awarded 148 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Harris Montgomery are $6,168 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,481 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#7

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
84 Total Awards
$9,810 Average Tuition & Fees

Oklahoma City Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Oklahoma City Community College is a fairly large public school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that handed out 84 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OCCC are $9,810 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,583 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, OCCC is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

OCCC also took the #4 spot in our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region rankings.

Read full report on Oklahoma City Community College

299 Total Awards
$10,590 Average Tuition & Fees

Austin Community College District ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Austin, Texas, the large public school handed out 299 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Austin Community College District are $10,590 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,220 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Austin Community College District. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Austin Community College District did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Full Austin Community College District Report

#9

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
58 Total Awards
$7,566 Average Tuition & Fees

Pima Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the fairly large public school handed out 58 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pima County Community College District are $7,566 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,202 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Pima County Community College District does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Pima Community College

#10

Tulsa Community College

Tulsa, Oklahoma
100 Total Awards
$8,845 Average Tuition & Fees

Tulsa Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the fairly large public school awarded 100 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Tulsa Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,845 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,665 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tulsa Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Tulsa Community College

#11

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
93 Total Awards
$7,540 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Central New Mexico Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 93 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CNM are $7,540 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,658 in student loans.

CNM does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Central New Mexico Community College Report

163 Total Awards
$11,369 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Texas State Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 163 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at TSTC are $11,369 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,405 in student loans.

TSTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#13

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
85 Total Awards
$7,920 Average Tuition & Fees

South Texas College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. South Texas College is a public institution located in McAllen, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 85 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Texas College are $7,920 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $8,401 in loans while pursuing their degree.

South Texas College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.

Full South Texas College Report

#14

DeVry University - Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona
15 Total Awards
$15,032 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, DeVry University - Arizona did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 15 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DeVry University - Arizona are $15,032 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,245 in student loans.

DeVry University - Arizona does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on DeVry University - Arizona

#15

Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
23 Total Awards
$10,908 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the small public school handed out 23 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OSU-OKC are $10,908 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,762 in student loans.

OSU-OKC is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

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1 Total Awards
$17,319 Average Tuition & Fees

Remington College - Fort Worth Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Remington College - Fort Worth Campus is located in Fort Worth, Texas and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 associate degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Remington College - Fort Worth Campus are $17,319 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,912 in student loans.

Remington College - Fort Worth Campus is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on Remington College - Fort Worth Campus

#17

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Weatherford, Oklahoma
4 Total Awards
$15,023 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree computer science programs. SWOSU is a small public school situated in Weatherford, Oklahoma. It awarded 4 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

SWOSU undergraduate students pay an average of $15,023 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,974 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SWOSU. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Southwestern Oklahoma State University Report

#18

University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, Texas
4 Total Awards
$33,100 Average Tuition & Fees

University of the Incarnate Word landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree computer science programs. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

UIW undergraduate students pay an average of $33,100 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,041 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UIW. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of the Incarnate Word

#19

Hallmark University

San Antonio, Texas
29 Total Awards
$23,845 Avg Student Debt

Hallmark University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree computer science programs. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 29 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hallmark are $0 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,845 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Hallmark, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Hallmark University

#19

Western Technical College

El Paso, Texas
46 Total Awards
$22,500 Avg Student Debt

Western Technical College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Western Technical College is located in El Paso, Texas and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 associate degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Technical College are $0 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,500 in student loans.

Read More…

View Best Value Associate Degree Computer Science Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 20 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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