2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in Minnesota
[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for computer programming students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Programming Schools
North Hennepin Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools in Minnesota. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $21,241. Computer Programming graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Hennepin Technical College one of the best values for computer programming. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Dakota County Technical College one of the best values for computer programming. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $50,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College one of the best values for computer programming. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $38,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Minneapolis Community And Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $22,600. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $55,069. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capella University came in at #6 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $35,998. Computer Programming graduates of Capella University earn a median of $72,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #7 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
