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Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

19 Schools Ranked
$13,361 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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 Basic Certificate 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 19 schools in the Southwest Region to see which basic certificate 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 Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

65 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 basic certificate. Collin County Community College District is a large public school located in McKinney, Texas that handed out 65 basic certificates 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.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Collin County Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Collin County Community College District did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on Collin County Community College District

#2

El Centro College

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

The excellent basic certificate programs at El Centro College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value computer science schools in the Southwest Region . Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 264 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since El Centro College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

El Centro College also took the #3 spot in our Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region rankings.

Read full report on El Centro College

943 Total Awards
$9,552 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 943 students in 2020-2021.

UOPX - Arizona undergraduate students pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees each year.

Online courses are available at UOPX - Arizona, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on University of Phoenix - Arizona

#4

Lone Star College System

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lone Star College System. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. North Harris Montgomery is located in The Woodlands, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 149 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Harris Montgomery are $6,168 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#5

Amarillo College

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

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Amarillo College is a great place for computer science students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Amarillo College is a public institution located in Amarillo, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Amarillo College are $4,704 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Amarillo College. In 2019-2020 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#6

Tarrant County College District

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

Tarrant County College District came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the large public school handed out 216 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tarrant County College are $8,235 per year.

Tarrant County 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, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Tarrant County College is ranked #5 for overall quality in the Southwest Region .

Full Tarrant County College District Report

#7

Pima Community College

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

With a ranking of #7, Pima Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 14 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Pima County Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $7,566 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Pima County Community College District. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#8

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
55 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 a basic certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. OCCC is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 basic certificates to qualified students.

OCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,810 in tuition and fees each year.

OCCC 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 More…

138 Total Awards
$10,590 Average Tuition & Fees

Austin Community College District landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate computer science programs. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 138 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Austin Community College District are $10,590 a year.

Austin Community College District 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 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

South Texas College

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

South Texas College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate computer science programs. South Texas College is a large public school situated in McAllen, Texas. It awarded 135 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Texas College are $7,920 a year.

South Texas College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on South Texas College

#11

Tulsa Community College

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

Tulsa Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the fairly large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tulsa Community College are $8,845 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Tulsa Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Tulsa Community College

4 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 basic certificate. Waco, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 4 students in 2020-2021.

TSTC undergraduate students pay an average of $11,369 in tuition and fees each year.

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. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Texas State Technical College Report

#13

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
14 Total Awards
$17,189 Average Tuition & Fees

Grand Canyon University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 14 students in 2020-2021.

Grand Canyon University undergraduate students pay an average of $17,189 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Grand Canyon University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Grand Canyon University

315 Total Awards
$40,996 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. This large public school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 315 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UT Austin are $40,996 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UT Austin does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

UT Austin did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read More…

#15

Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City

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

Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. OSU-OKC is a public institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at OSU-OKC are $10,908 per year.

Since OSU-OKC is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City Report

7 Total Awards
$21,528 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate computer science programs. Located in San Antonio, Texas, the large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UTSA are $21,528 per year.

One thing to take note of is that UTSA does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on The University of Texas at San Antonio

#17

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas
27 Total Awards
$17,978 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, Angelo State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate. Located in San Angelo, Texas, the fairly large public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Angelo State are $17,978 per year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Angelo State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

25 Total Awards
$29,438 Average Tuition & Fees

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 25 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASU - Tempe are $29,438 per year.

Online courses are available at ASU - Tempe, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Arizona State University - Tempe

1 Total Awards
$29,299 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate computer science programs. Arlington, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1 students in 2020-2021.

UT Arlington undergraduate students pay an average of $29,299 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UT Arlington. In 2019-2020 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

View Best Value Basic Certificate Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 19 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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