2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the The Plains States 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer science students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat North Hennepin Community College this year. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Students borrow a median of $15,751 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. Set against $15,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Normandale Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Students borrow a median of $15,708 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,708 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $17,650 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $38,179 early in their careers. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Century College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $21,332. Computer Science graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,595 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $73,971. That is a strong return on a $21,595 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Morris earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,993. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $55,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $67,040. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,728. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $64,699. That is a strong return on a $25,728 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #9 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $69,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #10 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $47,439. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
Missouri Western State University earned the #11 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $41,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #12 spot for computer science value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $82,861. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Maharishi University Of Management earned the #13 position for value in computer science this year. Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $114,993. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,736 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $72,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,736 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #15 for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,585. Early-career computer science graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $63,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #17 for value in computer science this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University landed the #18 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $22,669. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,959. Computer Science graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Grinnell College earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $84,449. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #21 for value in computer science this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $22,386. Computer Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Butler Community College landed the #22 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $16,670. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,404. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #23 for value in computer science this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,200. Computer Science graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $65,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bellevue University placed #24 among the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $61,548. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $49,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
