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2026 Best Value General Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region

27 Colleges in the United States
$22,518 Avg Student Debt
$53,201 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Computer & Information Sciences Badge [General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 92 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer & information sciences students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value General Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Computer & Information Sciences Schools

1

Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among general computer & information sciences schools in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $14,340 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $48,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #2. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $12,281. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Saint Louis Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,424. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,999. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Community College Area earned it the #5 place for general computer & information sciences. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $19,140 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $55,738. Set against $19,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Northeast Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $37,509. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

7

Western Nebraska Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #8 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,706 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $48,989. That is a strong return on a $15,706 median debt.

9

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #9 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $58,750. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

10

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #10 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $23,619 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $76,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

11

Wichita State University earned the #11 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,450. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $64,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Missouri Southern State University earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $39,434. That is a strong return on a $22,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

13

Northwest Missouri State University placed #13 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,785 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $65,444 early in their careers. Set against $22,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

Washburn University came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $64,361. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.

15

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #15 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,948 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $58,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

16

Wayne State College placed #16 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $46,646. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

University Of Central Missouri came in at #17 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,304. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,496. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

18

Emporia State University earned the #18 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,131. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,440. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

19
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University landed the #19 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Park University earn a median of $59,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt.

20

Kansas State University landed the #20 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,871. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $76,385. That is a strong return on a $25,871 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

21
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #21 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $67,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

22
Avila University crest
Avila University
Kansas City, MO

Avila University came in at #22 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $51,234. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

23

Missouri State University Springfield placed #23 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,471. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $49,746. Set against $25,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

24

University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $60,771. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

25

South Dakota State University came in at #25 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,748. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $73,770 early in their careers. Set against $22,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 42 Best Value General Computer & Information Sciences Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general computer & information sciences this year:

26
27
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
28
29
30
31
32
33
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
34
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA
35
36
37
38
39
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
40
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN
41
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
42

Narrow General Computer & Information Sciences Schools by State

View All General Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 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 · 92 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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