2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer software & applications education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 134 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer software & applications schools.
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2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Our analysis ranked Moraine Valley Community College the best value for a degree in computer software & applications in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
Lorain County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for computer software & applications. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $14,636. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Joliet Junior College came in at #7 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,995. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Elgin Community College landed the #9 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College came in at #12 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County placed #13 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #14 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $6,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $22,525. That is a strong return on a $6,881 median debt.
Belmont College placed #16 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $7,200. Students borrow a median of $20,524 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $58,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State Community College earned the #17 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $15,406. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $43,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #18 for value in computer software & applications this year. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #19 for value in computer software & applications this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $23,146. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $56,930. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earned the #20 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $12,112. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College placed #21 among the best values for computer software & applications. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $16,640 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $65,191. Set against $16,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College earned the #22 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #24 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $43,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $38,234. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for computer software & applications this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 134 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.
