by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Century College the best value for a degree in computer science in Minnesota. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $55,441. Set against $19,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,179. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at North Hennepin Community College, which ranked #4. 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. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,492. That is a strong return on a $15,751 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Normandale Community College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $15,708 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Set against $15,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #6 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,291. Early-career computer science graduates make about $47,439. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #7 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University placed #8 among the best values for computer science. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $63,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,016. Computer Science graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Bemidji State University came in at #10 for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $48,984. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,682. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $44,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.
Metropolitan State University earned the #12 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,008 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $72,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,008 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Winona State University landed the #13 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,250. Early-career computer science graduates make about $65,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #14 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $50,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #15 position for value in computer science this year. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $38,409 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $53,832. That is a strong return on a $38,409 median debt.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,260. Early-career computer science graduates make about $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #17 among the best values for computer science. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,375. Computer Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $73,224 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #18 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $29,180. Computer Science graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $72,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,180 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,197. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Set against $26,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Augsburg College earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $63,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College placed #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,875. Early-career computer science graduates make about $82,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete the computer science program here. 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%.
Carleton College earned the #23 position for value in computer science this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,233. 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.
Saint Johns University landed the #24 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,816. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Saint Johns University generally make around $69,964. That is a strong return on a $24,384 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #25 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,920. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $44,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.