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2026 Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools

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2026 Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools

Looking for the best-value Computer Science graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1091 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.

To arm you with the information you need, Computer Science Degree analyzed schools to build 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 Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States

Learn more about these high-value schools below:

#1

Seattle University

Seattle, WA

Our analysis found Seattle University to be the best-value Computer Science school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,980 to complete their Computer Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,272. Set against $24,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%. Read more about Seattle University

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A rank of #2 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the best values in the United States. Based in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,719 in student loans. Missouri State University Springfield alumni report median earnings of $49,827 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,719 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield

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#3

University Of Memphis

Memphis, TN

You'll get strong value at University Of Memphis, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. University Of Memphis Computer Science students take on a median of $24,672 in debt. University Of Memphis alumni report median earnings of $48,458 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,672 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants. Read more about University Of Memphis

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Out of the 1091 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Computer Science students take on a median of $25,187 in debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology alumni report median earnings of $82,957 a decade after entry. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%. Get the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology report

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Out of the 1091 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #5 spot. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Computer Science students take on a median of $21,073 in debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh alumni report median earnings of $68,758 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,073 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile

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Kennesaw State University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Kennesaw, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,552 ten years after entry. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants. More on Kennesaw State University

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#7

University Of Idaho

Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical Computer Science student debt is $25,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,670. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Idaho report

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Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Located in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,765. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $103,470 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile

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California State University Sacramento came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Science program debt is $15,625. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,876. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%. More on California State University Sacramento

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#10

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $29,333. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,648. Set against $29,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%. Get the full Drexel University report

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#11

University Of New Orleans

New Orleans, LA

University Of New Orleans landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in New Orleans, LA, University Of New Orleans is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Students borrow a median of $16,604 to complete their Computer Science program here. University Of New Orleans alumni report median earnings of $47,872 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,604 median debt. University Of New Orleans has an acceptance rate of 74%. Get the full University Of New Orleans report

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#12

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. The median Computer Science program debt is $20,674. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,158 ten years after entry. Set against $20,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wake Forest University has an acceptance rate of 22%. Read the full report on Wake Forest University

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Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hoboken, NJ. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $108,772 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants. More on Stevens Institute Of Technology

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Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #14 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $20,397 in student loans. Median earnings reach $102,491 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York

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#15

Tufts University

Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Tufts University Computer Science students take on a median of $15,500 in debt. Median earnings reach $83,214 ten years out. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants. Read more about Tufts University

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University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #16 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. Based in North Dartmouth, MA, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Science student debt is $27,106. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth has an acceptance rate of 91%. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth report

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Indiana University Northwest came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Gary, IN, Indiana University Northwest is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. The median Computer Science program debt is $22,116. Median earnings reach $43,361 ten years out. Set against $22,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%. Read the full report on Indiana University Northwest

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Kettering University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Kettering University profile

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Letourneau University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read more about Letourneau University

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Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read the full report on Mohawk Valley Community College

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Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Mount Wachusett Community College

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Rio Salado College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. See the full Rio Salado College profile

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Concordia University Irvine ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about Concordia University Irvine

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Elmhurst College placed #24 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. Get the full Elmhurst College report

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Hiram College landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Hiram College profile

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Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:

Southern University And A And M College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full Southern University And A And M College report

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Vermont Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. More on Vermont Technical College

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Allegheny College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Allegheny College

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Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg profile

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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

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Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome profile

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Campbellsville University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about Campbellsville University

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University Of San Francisco landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of San Francisco report

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California Institute Of Technology placed #34 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. Read more about California Institute Of Technology

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Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Lake Washington Institute Of Technology profile

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Middlebury College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. More on Middlebury College

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Monroe County Community College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Monroe County Community College

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Muhlenberg College placed #38 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. More on Muhlenberg College

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Southern Adventist University placed #39 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southern Adventist University

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University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #40 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. See the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh profile

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Augsburg College placed #41 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. See the full Augsburg College profile

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Bridgevalley Community And Technical College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Bridgevalley Community And Technical College profile

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Catholic University Of America ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read the full report on Catholic University Of America

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Guam Community College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. See the full Guam Community College profile

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Odessa College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about Odessa College

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Stark State College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about Stark State College

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Stonehill College landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Stonehill College

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University Of Southern California landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Southern California

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Benedictine College placed #49 among the best-value Computer Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Benedictine College

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Briar Cliff University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Briar Cliff University report

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See value rankings for other degree levels:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

These rankings are produced by Computer Science Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 1091 ranked schools only.

References

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