2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Minnesota
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer science students.
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2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
North Hennepin Community College earned the #1 spot for value among computer science schools in Minnesota. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Century College, which ranked #2. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Morris one of the best values for computer science. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the computer science program here. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Normandale Community College earned it the #4 place for computer science. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,708. Early-career computer science graduates make about $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Anoka Ramsey Community College, which ranked #5. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,293. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #6 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $82,861. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #7 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,291. Computer Science graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,360. Early-career computer science graduates make about $63,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,180 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $72,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Bemidji State University landed the #11 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,819. Computer Science graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $50,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #14 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,375. Early-career computer science graduates make about $73,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Winona State University earned the #15 position for value in computer science this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $65,817. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Students borrow a median of $27,008 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $72,865. Set against $27,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #17 for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
St Olaf College placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,875. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $82,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Augsburg College landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $45,452. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $63,065. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,505 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,396. That is a strong return on a $26,197 median debt. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
Saint Johns University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,816. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,384 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,384 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Carleton College earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,233 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $88,132. Set against $18,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,704. Early-career computer science graduates make about $73,301. Set against $23,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
