2027 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the The Plains States 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for computer software & applications students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Leading the list is Riverland Community College, our #1 best value for computer software & applications in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Wichita Area Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,828. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College, which ranked #3. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned it the #4 place for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $38,262. Set against $24,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson County Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #6 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #7 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #8 among the best values for computer software & applications. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $24,624. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Lindenwood University landed the #9 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $25,717. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $34,433. That is a strong return on a $25,717 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Dakota State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Dakota State University generally make around $26,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dubuque placed #11 among the best values for computer software & applications. University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,095. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $27,204. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $53,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #12 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $106,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
