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2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

69 Ranked Colleges
4,251 Degrees Awarded
$9,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 4,251 people earned their degree in software engineering, making the major the 167th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 69 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in software engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality software engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the software engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for computer software engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Software Engineering (Income $0-$30k)

1
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s computer software engineering degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

Harvard also made our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Harvard University is $2,564 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Harvard University Software Engineering Report

2
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Out of the 69 schools in the Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tufts University landed the #2 spot on the list. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Medford, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Tufts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Tufts is $8,122 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Software Engineering at Tufts

3

Out of the 69 schools in the Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 186 ’s computer software engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $9,766 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Software Engineering at Iowa State University

4

Out of the 69 schools in the Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #4 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 109 ’s computer software engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our computer software engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Software Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Irvine Software Engineering Report

5

Out of the 69 schools in the Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 167 degrees to qualified ’s computer software engineering students in 2020-2021.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $8,969 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Arizona State University - Tempe.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full ASU - Tempe Software Engineering Report

6

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 13 ’s computer software engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Software Engineering at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

7
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 144 diplomas to qualified ’s computer software engineering students in 2020-2021.

Carnegie Mellon also made our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $16,456 for computer software engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Software Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University

8
Northeastern crest
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 619 ’s computer software engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Northeastern also made our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern University is $10,240 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Software Engineering at Northeastern

9

Michigan Technological University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Houghton, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified ’s computer software engineering students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our computer software engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan Tech has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Software Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Technological University is $5,520 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan Tech Software Engineering Report

10
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #10, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 541 ’s computer software engineering degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Software Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $12,158 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Software Engineering at San Jose State University

11

With a ranking of #11, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s computer software engineering degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Software Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

12

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 16 ’s computer software engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is $5,434 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Software Engineering Report

13

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 59 diplomas to qualified ’s computer software engineering students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Cal State Fullerton Software Engineering Report

14

The University of Texas at Dallas came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Richardson, Texas, this large public school handed out 134 degrees to qualified ’s computer software engineering students in 2020-2021.

UT Dallas also made our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for UT Dallas is $11,070 for computer software engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read more about Software Engineering at UT Dallas

15

Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. BYU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Provo, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our computer software engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, BYU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Software Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Provo is $9,445 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Software Engineering at Brigham Young University - Provo

16
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #16, Washington State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wazzu is located in Pullman, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s computer software engineering degrees to qualified students.

Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Wazzu is $7,689 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Software Engineering at Washington State University

17

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Software Engineering at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

18

With a ranking of #18, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 7 ’s computer software engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Software Engineering at California State University - Northridge

19

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s computer software engineering degrees to qualified students.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list. It costs about $11,835 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Software Engineering Report

20

University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mayaguez, is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer software engineering degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez is $9,276 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Software Engineering at University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

21

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. UT Arlington is located in Arlington, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s computer software engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,985 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at Arlington.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UT Arlington Software Engineering Report

22
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 14 ’s computer software engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,014 for computer software engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WVU.

Read more about Software Engineering at WVU

23

Utah Valley University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Orem, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer software engineering degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,707 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Utah Valley University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Software Engineering at Utah Valley University

24

New Jersey Institute of Technology landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New Jersey Institute of Technology is a fairly large public school situated in Newark, New Jersey. It awarded 8 ’s computer software engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for NJIT is $12,784 for Computer Software Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Software Engineering at NJIT

25

With a ranking of #25, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Software Engineering Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also made our “Best Software Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $13,956 for computer software engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Software Engineering at Miami University - Oxford

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