2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
60
Ranked Colleges
7,044
Degrees Awarded
$8,800
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 59,565 people earned their degree in computer science, making the major the 12th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, computer science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $67,538 and had an average of $23,620 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 7,044 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $64,824 and $25,910 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 60 colleges that offer a degree in computer science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great computer science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value CompSci 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value CompSci 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
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 337 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $2,500 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also took the #3 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $245 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Read more about Computer Science at Northwestern University
Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value CompSci 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. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 901 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Computer Science at UIUC
Out of the 60 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 572 students in 2020-2021.
Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,995 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Computer Science at Purdue
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 263 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,752 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IU Bloomington.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Computer Science at IU Bloomington
Michigan Technological University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Houghton, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 101 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan Tech, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan Technological University is $5,520 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 full report on Computer Science at Michigan Tech
With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 87 ’s compsci 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. The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $7,026 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Computer Science Report
University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 501 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
UIC also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $10,549 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at UIC
Ivy Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Ivy Tech Community College is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 44 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $6,213 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Computer Science at Ivy Tech Community College
Ball State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 72 students in 2020-2021.
Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at Ball State
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,047 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SIUE.
Read full report on Computer Science at SIUE
Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It awarded 66 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,414 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend PFW.
Full Purdue University Fort Wayne Computer Science Report
DePauw University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. DePauw University is a small school located in Greencastle, Indiana that handed out 40 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at DePauw, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,503 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend DePauw.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Computer Science at DePauw
Indiana University - Northwest came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Northwest is a small school located in Gary, Indiana that handed out 14 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Northwest is $2,714 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Computer Science at IU Northwest
University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 225 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Springfield is $10,831 for great lakes region compsci 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 more about Computer Science at University of Illinois at Springfield
With a ranking of #16, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 201 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Case Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Case Western is $16,063 for great lakes region compsci 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Case Western Computer Science Report
Youngstown State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,175 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Computer Science at Youngstown State University
Central Michigan University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 71 students in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $10,805 for Great Lakes Region CompSci 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 University
With a ranking of #19, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 49 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Northwest is $6,775 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Computer Science at Purdue University Northwest
Lewis University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lewis University is located in Romeoville, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 160 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
Lewis also took the #17 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,284 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Lewis University Computer Science Report
With a ranking of #21, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $5,504 for Great Lakes Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Computer Science at Indiana University - South Bend
Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s compsci 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 estimated yearly cost for Illinois Institute of Technology is $18,515 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Illinois Institute of Technology Computer Science Report
Kent State University at Kent came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 128 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State University at Kent is $13,793 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Computer Science at Kent State
Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.
WMU also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for WMU is $13,112 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Western Michigan University Computer Science Report
Indiana University - Southeast ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. New Albany, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Southeast is $7,587 for great lakes region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Computer Science at Indiana University - Southeast
college factual
