2027 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer programming students.
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2027 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $15,138. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for general computer programming. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #6 position for value in general computer programming this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $33,937. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $12,736. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $55,996. That is a strong return on a $12,736 median debt.
Schoolcraft College came in at #8 for value in general computer programming this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage earned the #9 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $7,812 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College landed the #10 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #11 for value in general computer programming this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Mott Community College landed the #12 spot for general computer programming value this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $37,989. Set against $20,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #13 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $7,440. General Computer Programming graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $20,820. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Wayne County Community College District generally make around $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #15 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $19,723 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $80,830 early in their careers. Set against $19,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Parkland College earned the #16 position for value in general computer programming this year. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #17 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,165 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Set against $14,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College earned the #18 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $39,552. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #19 among the best values for general computer programming. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #20 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College earned the #21 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $41,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #22 spot for general computer programming value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #23 for value in general computer programming this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $54,652. Set against $13,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #24 spot for general computer programming value this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $46,398. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #25 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $13,669. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $43,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general computer programming this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
