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2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

60 Ranked Colleges
7,044 Degrees Awarded
$8,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Computer Science is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 8th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 59,565 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 7,044 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 60 colleges that offered a degree in computer science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent computer science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 337 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $2,500 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Chicago.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of Chicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 227 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $245 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern Computer Science Report

3

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 901 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $4,858 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 572 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Computer Science at Purdue

5

Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #5 spot on the list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 263 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Computer Science Report

6

Michigan Technological University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan Tech is a medium-sized school located in Houghton, Michigan that handed out 101 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan Tech also took the #9 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,520 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan Technological University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Michigan Technological University

7

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 87 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IUPUI.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 501 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

UIC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,549 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Computer Science Report

9
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $6,213 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Ivy Tech Community College Computer Science Report

10
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 72 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State Computer Science Report

11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,047 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at SIUE

12
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

With a ranking of #12, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. PFW is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Fort Wayne is $7,414 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at Purdue University Fort Wayne

13
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

DePauw University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. DePauw is a private not-for-profit institution located in Greencastle, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

DePauw also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $19,503 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend DePauw University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Computer Science at DePauw University

14

Indiana University - Northwest ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IU Northwest is a public institution located in Gary, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend IU Northwest is $2,714 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Computer Science at IU Northwest

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 225 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UIS is $10,831 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at UIS

16

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 201 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Case Western also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Case Western is $16,063 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Case Western

17

With a ranking of #17, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 35 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,175 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Computer Science at Youngstown State University

18
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 71 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $10,805 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Central Michigan

19

Purdue University Northwest came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Purdue Northwest is located in Hammond, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Purdue Northwest is $6,775 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at Purdue University Northwest

20
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Lewis University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lewis is located in Romeoville, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 160 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

Lewis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,284 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Lewis University

21

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $5,504 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Computer Science at Indiana University - South Bend

22

Illinois Institute of Technology came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 316 students in 2020-2021.

Illinois Tech also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Tech is $18,515 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Illinois Tech Computer Science Report

23

Kent State University at Kent came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 128 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State University at Kent is $13,793 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at Kent State University at Kent

24
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WMU is a fairly large school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 68 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

WMU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,112 for great lakes region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Read more about Computer Science at WMU

25

Indiana University - Southeast landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in New Albany, Indiana, and it awarded 20 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Southeast is $7,587 for Great Lakes Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at Indiana University - Southeast

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