2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 164 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer science schools.
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2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
Leading the list is Henry Ford Community College, our #1 best value for computer science in the Great Lakes Region. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,876. Computer Science graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,087. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $89,963. That is a strong return on a $19,087 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,375. Early-career computer science graduates make about $94,786. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #5 place for computer science. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $52,115. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast placed #6 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,981. Early-career computer science graduates make about $72,634. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $67,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $135,600 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $30,301. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $85,117. Set against $30,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $46,902. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Vincennes University placed #11 among the best values for computer science. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,506. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #12 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $68,485. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #13 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,745 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $76,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University earned the #14 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Chicago State University placed #15 among the best values for computer science. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #16 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $22,966. Computer Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $77,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,966 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #17 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,417 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,909. That is a strong return on a $20,417 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Youngstown State University came in at #18 for value in computer science this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $66,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #19 position for value in computer science this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #20 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $62,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,375. Computer Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $61,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #22 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $55,597. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $53,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Augustana College Illinois earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Early-career computer science graduates make about $74,745. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #25 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,324. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer science:
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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 · 164 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
