by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value computer programming schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in computer programming, no school beat St Cloud Technical And Community College this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $48,652. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hennepin Technical College earned it the #2 place for computer programming. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $52,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $42,178. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $17,650 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $38,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #6 spot for computer programming value this year. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $13,474 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $50,429. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #7 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $22,600. 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.
Anoka Technical College came in at #8 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Students borrow a median of $18,408 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $44,529. Set against $18,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capella University landed the #9 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $72,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.