2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 60 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer software & applications students.
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2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in the The Plains States 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
Saint Louis Community College earned the #1 spot for value among computer software & applications schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $11,424. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $15,779. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Eastern Iowa Community College District, which ranked #3. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer software & applications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at Minneapolis Community And Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $38,262. Set against $24,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #6 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $51,790. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Johnson County Community College landed the #7 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler Community College came in at #8 for value in computer software & applications this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,541, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #9 among the best values for computer software & applications. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $46,572. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lindenwood University earned the #10 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Dakota State University earned the #11 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $26,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dakota State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #12 for value in computer software & applications this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. 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), 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
