College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

39 Ranked Colleges
4,073 Degrees Awarded
$10,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 59,565 computer science students received their degree, making the major the 8th most popular in the country.

Across the Plains States region, there were 4,073 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 39 colleges that offered a degree in computer science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality computer science programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Computer Science Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Computer Science Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

1

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 280 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $1,556 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington University in St Louis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 94%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Washington University in St Louis Computer Science Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 645 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,698 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

3
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carleton College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 54 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Carleton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $6,208 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carleton College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Carleton College Computer Science Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 142 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $9,766 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Iowa State Computer Science Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Morris. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Morris is located in Morris, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UMN Morris is $3,941 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Full UMN Morris Computer Science Report

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 92 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $7,843 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 UMN Duluth

7
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Grinnell, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

Grinnell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,835 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grinnell.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 Grinnell

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 77 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMSL has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $9,991 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at UMSL

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 114 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Iowa Computer Science Report

10

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 98 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,578 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.

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 University of Nebraska at Omaha

11
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $11,112 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St Olaf College Computer Science Report

12

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 106 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,835 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Computer Science Report

13
LATI crest
Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, South Dakota

Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, this small public school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

LATI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend LATI is $9,646 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full LATI Computer Science Report

14
Normandale Community College crest
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota

Normandale Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Normandale Community College is located in Bloomington, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

Normandale Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Normandale Community College is $9,261 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Computer Science at Normandale Community College

15
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

With a ranking of #15, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 379 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCM has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $11,006 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of Central Missouri

16
North Hennepin Community College crest
North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

With a ranking of #16, North Hennepin Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 25 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,626 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Hennepin Community College.

Read full report on Computer Science at North Hennepin Community College

17

With a ranking of #17, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 131 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,381 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Missouri State University - Springfield

18

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 219 students in 2020-2021.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $12,724 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMKC Computer Science Report

19
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Saint Cloud State University

20

Maharishi International University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fairfield, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 294 students in 2020-2021.

MIU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MIU is $12,179 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Computer Science at MIU

21

University of Northern Iowa ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 48 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $10,513 for plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Computer Science at UNI

22

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $9,906 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Computer Science at Northwest

23
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 56 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region computer science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Winona State has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $11,721 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Winona State

24
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus crest
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Anoka-Ramsey Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Coon Rapids, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Anoka-Ramsey Community College is $9,815 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College Computer Science Report

25
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Decorah, Iowa, and it awarded 16 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Luther not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $21,838 for Plains States Region Computer Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Luther College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Luther

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options