Public Universities, ROI Rankings (2026)

749 public schools with 1,327 school-major combinations analyzed. In-state tuition advantages typically boost ROI.

Reviewed by CollegeROIData Editorial Team · Updated Mar 15, 2026

749

Schools

72/100

Avg ROI Score

$26K

Avg Median Debt

100%

Avg Graduation Rate

Top 50 Public Universities Programs by ROI

#	School	Major	ROI Score	Debt	Earnings (1yr)	Verdict
1	Central State University	Computer Science	100/100	$8,894	$95,000	STRONG BUY
2	Collin County Community College District	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	100/100	$12,441	$95,000	STRONG BUY
3	Bismarck State College	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	97/100	$19,737	$95,000	STRONG BUY
4	California State University-Chico	Computer and Information Sciences	97/100	$18,720	$95,000	STRONG BUY
5	California State University-Chico	Computer Science	97/100	$18,720	$95,000	STRONG BUY
6	California State University-Monterey Bay	Computer Science	97/100	$16,708	$95,000	STRONG BUY
7	California State University-Monterey Bay	Mathematics	97/100	$16,708	$78,000	STRONG BUY
8	Cascadia College	Computer Programming	97/100	$18,513	$95,000	STRONG BUY
9	Chadron State College	Mathematics	97/100	$17,272	$78,000	STRONG BUY
10	Albany State University	Computer and Information Sciences	96/100	$20,094	$95,000	STRONG BUY
11	Angelo State University	Computer and Information Sciences	96/100	$20,138	$95,000	STRONG BUY
12	Appalachian State University	Computer Science	96/100	$20,995	$95,000	STRONG BUY
13	Augusta University	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	96/100	$21,026	$95,000	STRONG BUY
14	Bellevue College	Computer Software and Media Applications	96/100	$21,838	$95,000	STRONG BUY
15	Bellevue College	Data Processing	96/100	$21,838	$95,000	STRONG BUY
16	Bellevue College	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	96/100	$21,838	$95,000	STRONG BUY
17	Black Hills State University	Mathematics	96/100	$20,730	$78,000	STRONG BUY
18	Bridgewater State University	Mathematics	96/100	$19,020	$78,000	STRONG BUY
19	Bridgewater State University	Computer Science	96/100	$19,020	$95,000	STRONG BUY
20	Broward College	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	96/100	$21,933	$95,000	STRONG BUY
21	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	Computer Science	96/100	$20,312	$95,000	STRONG BUY
22	Central Connecticut State University	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	96/100	$22,369	$95,000	STRONG BUY
23	Christopher Newport University	Computer Science	96/100	$20,917	$95,000	STRONG BUY
24	Christopher Newport University	Mathematics	96/100	$20,917	$78,000	STRONG BUY
25	Clark College	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	96/100	$21,087	$95,000	STRONG BUY
26	College of Coastal Georgia	Mathematics	96/100	$20,482	$78,000	STRONG BUY
27	College of Staten Island CUNY	Computer Science	96/100	$19,084	$95,000	STRONG BUY
28	Colorado Mesa University	Computer and Information Sciences	96/100	$20,002	$95,000	STRONG BUY
29	Colorado Mesa University	Mathematics	96/100	$20,002	$78,000	STRONG BUY
30	Alabama A & M University	Computer and Information Sciences	95/100	$22,896	$95,000	STRONG BUY
31	Auburn University	Computer and Information Sciences	95/100	$21,277	$95,000	STRONG BUY
32	Auburn University at Montgomery	Computer Science	95/100	$22,970	$95,000	STRONG BUY
33	Auburn University at Montgomery	Computer and Information Sciences	95/100	$22,970	$95,000	STRONG BUY
34	Augusta University	Computer and Information Sciences	95/100	$21,026	$95,000	STRONG BUY
35	Austin Peay State University	Computer Systems Analysis	95/100	$22,797	$95,000	STRONG BUY
36	Austin Peay State University	Computer Science	95/100	$22,797	$95,000	STRONG BUY
37	Bellevue College	Computer Science	95/100	$21,838	$95,000	STRONG BUY
38	Bemidji State University	Mathematics	95/100	$22,722	$78,000	STRONG BUY
39	Bemidji State University	Computer Science	95/100	$22,722	$95,000	STRONG BUY
40	Binghamton University	Computer Science	95/100	$22,008	$95,000	STRONG BUY
41	Binghamton University	Mathematics	95/100	$22,008	$78,000	STRONG BUY
42	Boise State University	Computer Science	95/100	$22,352	$95,000	STRONG BUY
43	Broward College	Computer and Information Sciences	95/100	$21,933	$95,000	STRONG BUY
44	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt	Computer Science	95/100	$21,808	$95,000	STRONG BUY
45	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	Computer Science	95/100	$22,035	$95,000	STRONG BUY
46	California State University-Bakersfield	Computer Science	95/100	$22,494	$95,000	STRONG BUY
47	California State University-Bakersfield	Mathematics	95/100	$22,494	$78,000	STRONG BUY
48	California State University-Fullerton	Computer Science	95/100	$21,553	$95,000	STRONG BUY
49	California State University-Long Beach	Computer Science	95/100	$21,168	$95,000	STRONG BUY
50	California State University-Northridge	Computer Science	95/100	$23,042	$95,000	STRONG BUY

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Frequently Asked Questions

CollegeROIData tracks 749 public universities with 1,327 school-major combinations analyzed for debt and earnings data.

The average ROI Score for public university programs is 72/100. Average median debt is $26K with average first-year earnings of $58K.

Public universities typically have lower tuition for in-state students, which reduces debt and improves ROI. However, some private universities offer generous financial aid that can match or beat public school costs.