2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer programming students.
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2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $15,138. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $36,247. 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 City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $7,769. General Computer Programming graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for general computer programming. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $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. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College came in at #7 for value in general computer programming this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earned the #8 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
Joliet Junior College landed the #9 spot for general computer programming value this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College earned the #10 position for value in general computer programming this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College placed #11 among the best values for general computer programming. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,862. General Computer Programming graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Schoolcraft College earned the #12 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College came in at #13 for value in general computer programming this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #14 position for value in general computer programming this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,736 in student loans. 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.
Oakton Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $20,645 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,645 median debt.
Stark State College earned the #17 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $17,349. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,112 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,820 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #20 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College placed #21 among the best values for general computer programming. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $10,168. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College earned the #22 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $41,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College placed #23 among the best values for general computer programming. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #24 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #25 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,471. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $39,552. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general computer programming:
Narrow General Computer Programming Schools by State
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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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
