2027 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general computer programming schools.
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2027 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Computer Programming Schools
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for general computer programming in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $12,799. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer programming will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #2. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $14,935. General Computer Programming graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #3 place for general computer programming. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer programming, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,964. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $37,074. Set against $11,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes St Cloud Technical And Community College one of the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $48,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $42,178. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $17,650. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $38,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $52,492. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University placed #10 among the best values for general computer programming. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $22,241. General Computer Programming graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $39,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University came in at #11 for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $57,162. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #12 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $13,474. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $50,429. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $22,600 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $55,069. That is a strong return on a $22,600 median debt.
Johnson County Community College landed the #14 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $46,473. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Maharishi University Of Management ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. General Computer Programming graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #18 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Linn State Technical College earned the #19 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Students borrow a median of $11,042 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $45,538. Set against $11,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Flint Hills Technical College placed #20 among the best values for general computer programming. Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $6,944 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,690 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Flint Hills Technical College generally make around $40,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Technical Institute earned the #21 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,650. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,827 in student loans. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $53,874. That is a strong return on a $14,827 median debt.
Bellevue University earned the #22 position for value in general computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $26,108 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $69,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capella University earned the #23 position for value in general computer programming this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $35,998. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $72,053. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Ranken Technical College landed the #24 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,008. Students borrow a median of $13,325 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Ranken Technical College generally make around $43,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morningside College placed #25 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. Students borrow a median of $27,281 to complete the general computer programming program here. General Computer Programming graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $54,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,281 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
