2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer programming education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer programming schools.
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2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Programming Schools
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for computer programming 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,149. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,138. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $36,247. Set against $15,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned it the #4 place for computer programming. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $8,093. Computer Programming graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #5 place for computer programming. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $17,616. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #6 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $33,937 early in their careers. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College landed the #7 spot for computer programming value this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $12,525. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College earned the #8 position for value in computer programming this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, 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.
Lansing Community College landed the #9 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #10 spot for computer programming value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,533. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College placed #11 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $9,862. 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.
College Of Dupage landed the #12 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $7,812. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College earned the #13 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College came in at #14 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,677. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #16 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $12,736. Computer Programming graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $55,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #18 position for value in computer programming this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,889. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Mott Community College landed the #20 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $37,989. That is a strong return on a $20,645 median debt.
Stark State College landed the #21 spot for computer programming value 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 computer programming graduates is $17,349. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $20,820. Soon after graduation, 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.
Southwestern Illinois College placed #23 among the best values for computer programming. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Gateway Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $9,833. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $41,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College earned the #25 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Programming Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer programming value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
