2027 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for computer software & applications students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer software & applications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for computer software & applications. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $9,862. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #5 spot this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,149. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #6 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College came in at #7 for value in computer software & applications this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,283. That is a strong return on a $15,677 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #8 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
College Of Dupage placed #9 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $12,492. Computer Software & Applications graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College came in at #10 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $6,881 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $22,525. 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. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #13 for value in computer software & applications this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. 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.
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #14 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $17,694. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $49,210. Set against $17,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County came in at #15 for value in computer software & applications this year. 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. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State Community College placed #16 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $15,406. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $16,960. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, 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. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #19 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,780. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. That is a strong return on a $11,780 median debt.
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Lake Campus came in at #21 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,372, compared with $17,072 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,522 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Wright State University Lake Campus generally make around $43,705. Set against $27,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Wayne State University placed #23 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Heartland Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. 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. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College placed #25 among the best values for computer software & applications. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. 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.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer software & applications:
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Notes and References
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
