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2026 Best Value Computer Programming Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools

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2026 Best Value Computer Programming Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools

Looking for the best-value Computer Programming undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 642 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.

So you can compare your options, Computer Science Degree evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.

Top 25 Best-Value Computer Programming Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States

Explore the best-value schools below:

Chattahoochee Technical College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Computer Programming undergraduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Located in Marietta, GA, Chattahoochee Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. The median Computer Programming program debt is $9,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,138 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Chattahoochee Technical College

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#2

Gwinnett Technical College

Lawrenceville, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gwinnett Technical College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Lawrenceville, GA, Gwinnett Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,524, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. The median Computer Programming program debt is $6,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,025. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt. More on Gwinnett Technical College

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#3

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnson County Community College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. The median Computer Programming program debt is $13,532. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,387. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Johnson County Community College

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#4

Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX

Out of the 642 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Amarillo College landed the #4 spot. Located in Amarillo, TX, Amarillo College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Programming student debt is $11,884. Amarillo College alumni report median earnings of $41,302 a decade after entry. Set against $11,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Amarillo College

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A rank of #5 makes Dakota County Technical College one of the best values in the United States. Set in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete their Computer Programming program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Dakota County Technical College profile

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#7

El Centro College

Dallas, TX

El Centro College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. Located in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical Computer Programming student debt is $20,508. El Centro College alumni report median earnings of $41,714 a decade after entry. Set against $20,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full El Centro College report

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Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Springfield, MO, Ozarks Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. The median Computer Programming program debt is $11,964. Median earnings reach $36,455 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,964 median debt. More on Ozarks Technical Community College

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Augusta Technical College placed #9 among the best-value Computer Programming schools in the United States. Set in Augusta, GA, Augusta Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,282, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Augusta Technical College profile

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Des Moines Area Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Des Moines Area Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,018 a decade after entry. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Des Moines Area Community College

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#11

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, Hennepin Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,460 ten years after entry. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Hennepin Technical College report

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Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #12 among the best-value Computer Programming schools in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Minneapolis Community And Technical College Computer Programming students take on a median of $22,600 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,086. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Minneapolis Community And Technical College profile

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#13

Bellevue College

Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Bellevue, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,839 to complete their Computer Programming program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Bellevue College

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Georgia Piedmont Technical College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a public school based in Clarkston, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,404, compared with $5,954 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Programming program debt is $15,716. Georgia Piedmont Technical College alumni report median earnings of $34,619 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,716 median debt. Read the full report on Georgia Piedmont Technical College

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Itawamba Community College landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Itawamba Community College is a public school based in Fulton, MS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Itawamba Community College profile

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#16

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

Valencia College placed #16 among the best-value Computer Programming schools in the United States. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Students borrow a median of $14,070 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Median earnings reach $40,594 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Valencia College

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Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Cleveland, OH, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Programming program debt is $14,636. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,654. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Cuyahoga Community College District report

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Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. Based in Kirkland, WA, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Programming student debt is $19,695. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,669. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Lake Washington Institute Of Technology profile

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Hillsborough Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. Based in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $16,256 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,782 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Hillsborough Community College

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#20

St Petersburg College

St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in St. Petersburg, FL, St Petersburg College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. St Petersburg College Computer Programming students take on a median of $16,387 in debt. Median earnings reach $42,557 ten years out. Set against $16,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full St Petersburg College profile

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#21

Stark State College

North Canton, OH

Stark State College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Based in North Canton, OH, Stark State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Median earnings reach $34,661 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt. Read the full report on Stark State College

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Tarrant County College District offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Fort Worth, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Tarrant County College District

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#23

Portland Community College

Portland, OR

Portland Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. This public school is set in Portland, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,592 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Portland Community College

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Blue Ridge Community And Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. Located in Martinsburg, WV, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, compared with $8,808 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Programming program debt is $18,402. Median earnings reach $39,293 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,402 median debt. See the full Blue Ridge Community And Technical College profile

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#25

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, MO

St Charles Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. St Charles Community College is a public school based in Cottleville, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical Computer Programming student debt is $12,606. St Charles Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,422 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on St Charles Community College

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Central New Mexico Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. Based in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Programming program debt is $10,112. Central New Mexico Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,869 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Central New Mexico Community College

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Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Computer Programming Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:

Lansing Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. This public school is set in Lansing, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. The median Computer Programming program debt is $16,700. Median earnings reach $39,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt. More on Lansing Community College

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#28

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown Community College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. This public school is set in Hagerstown, MD. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,615. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Hagerstown Community College

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Seminole State College Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Sanford, FL, Seminole State College Of Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Programming program debt is $18,419. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,733. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Seminole State College Of Florida profile

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South Louisiana Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. Located in Lafayette, LA, South Louisiana Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,435 to complete their Computer Programming program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,432. Set against $12,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on South Louisiana Community College

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Utah Valley University placed #31 among the best-value Computer Programming schools in the United States. Utah Valley University is a public school based in Orem, UT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Utah Valley University alumni report median earnings of $55,486 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Utah Valley University

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Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Community College Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Warwick, RI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Community College Of Rhode Island Computer Programming students take on a median of $11,000 in debt. Community College Of Rhode Island alumni report median earnings of $42,659 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. See the full Community College Of Rhode Island profile

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#33

Santa Fe College

Gainesville, FL

Santa Fe College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Gainesville, FL, Santa Fe College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,563, while out-of-state students pay about $9,189. Santa Fe College Computer Programming students take on a median of $15,100 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,631. Set against $15,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Santa Fe College

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Mountwest Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Based in Huntington, WV, Mountwest Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,938 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,304. Typical Computer Programming student debt is $11,763. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Mountwest Community And Technical College

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#35

Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. Located in Daytona Beach, FL, Daytona State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. The median Computer Programming program debt is $14,227. Daytona State College alumni report median earnings of $37,096 a decade after entry. Set against $14,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Daytona State College profile

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#36

Miami Dade College

Miami, FL

Miami Dade College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Set in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Miami Dade College alumni report median earnings of $40,654 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt. Read more about Miami Dade College

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#37

Broward College

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Broward College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Broward College report

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Austin Community College District came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Based in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,177 ten years after entry. Set against $20,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Austin Community College District

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#39

Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL

Palm Beach State College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Lake Worth, FL, Palm Beach State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete their Computer Programming program here. Median earnings reach $41,923 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt. Read more about Palm Beach State College

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#40

The University Of Montana

Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Programming schools. Set in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. The University Of Montana Computer Programming students take on a median of $24,342 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,511 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. More on The University Of Montana

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University Of Missouri St Louis placed #41 among the best-value Computer Programming schools in the United States. Located in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete their Computer Programming program here. University Of Missouri St Louis alumni report median earnings of $53,037 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Missouri St Louis

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#42

Davis Technical College

Kaysville, UT

Davis Technical College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Kaysville, UT, Davis Technical College is a public institution. Davis Technical College Computer Programming students take on a median of $6,262 in debt. Davis Technical College alumni report median earnings of $41,734 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,262 median debt. Get the full Davis Technical College report

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Bakersfield College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Bakersfield College

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Cumberland County College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cumberland County College report

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Missouri Valley College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Missouri Valley College report

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Northampton County Area Community College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on Northampton County Area Community College

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Bossier Parish Community College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Bossier Parish Community College report

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Bucks County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Bucks County Community College report

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Clark State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full Clark State Community College profile

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Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology

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Lane Community College placed #50 among the best-value Computer Programming schools in the United States. Read the full report on Lane Community College

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Compare value rankings at other degree levels:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

This list is compiled by Computer Science Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 642 ranked schools only.

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