2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer programming education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer programming students.
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2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Programming Schools
Leading the list is Indian Hills Community College, our #1 best value for computer programming in the The Plains States Region. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $63,559. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #2 place for computer programming. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $12,606. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #3 place for computer programming. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,804. Set against $11,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for computer programming. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,964 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $37,074. That is a strong return on a $11,964 median debt.
North Hennepin Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $52,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #7 spot for computer programming value this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,737. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $39,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $52,059. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #9 among the best values for computer programming. 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. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Dakota County Technical College earned the #10 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $13,474 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $50,429 early in their careers. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $39,434. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #13 spot for computer programming value this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $17,650. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best values for computer programming. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $55,069 early in their careers. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University came in at #15 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $57,162 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Johnson County Community College earned the #16 position for value in computer programming this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $13,532. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $46,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Linn State Technical College earned the #17 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $45,538. Set against $11,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Flint Hills Technical College landed the #18 spot for computer programming value this year. 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. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Flint Hills Technical College generally make around $40,435. Set against $14,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ranken Technical College came in at #19 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,008 in tuition and fees. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $13,325 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Ranken Technical College earn a median of $43,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,325 median debt.
Southeast Technical Institute earned the #20 position for value in 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. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $14,827. Computer Programming graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $53,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maharishi University Of Management placed #21 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,530. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $73,644. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
Capella University landed the #22 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $72,053. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #23 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $24,499. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $75,810. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Bellevue University came in at #24 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $26,108. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $69,254. That is a strong return on a $26,108 median debt.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #25 position for value in computer programming this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $65,183. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
