2027 Best Value Computer Systems Networking Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Computer Systems Networking](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-systems-networking/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for computer systems networking students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Systems Networking Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer systems networking, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Systems Networking Schools
Leading the list is Ozarks Technical Community College, our #1 best value for computer systems networking in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Early-career computer systems networking graduates make about $44,381. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #2 place for computer systems networking. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Computer Systems Networking graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,235 early in their careers. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Community College Area earned it the #3 place for computer systems networking. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #4 place for computer systems networking. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Computer Systems Networking graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $32,289 early in their careers. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes South Central College one of the best values for computer systems networking. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
Jefferson College came in at #6 for value in computer systems networking this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best values for computer systems networking. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,880. Students borrow a median of $11,362 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Computer Systems Networking graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. Set against $11,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #8 position for value in computer systems networking this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $43,253. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt.
Bismarck State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer systems networking schools. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,101 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Early-career computer systems networking graduates make about $61,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #10 spot for computer systems networking value this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Early-career computer systems networking graduates make about $40,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #11 for value in computer systems networking this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Early-career computer systems networking graduates make about $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #12 spot for computer systems networking value this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $14,085 in student loans. Computer Systems Networking graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $41,166 early in their careers. Set against $14,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for computer systems networking. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt for computer systems networking graduates is $16,065. Early-career computer systems networking graduates make about $38,654. Set against $16,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Kansas Technical College came in at #14 for value in computer systems networking this year. Located in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,928 ten years after entry.
Western Dakota Technical Institute placed #15 among the best values for computer systems networking. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public school located in the city of Rapid City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Typical student debt for computer systems networking graduates is $20,049. Early-career computer systems networking graduates make about $40,418. That is a strong return on a $20,049 median debt.
Northwest Kansas Technical College came in at #16 for value in computer systems networking this year. Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Goodland. Computer Systems Networking graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #17 among the best values for computer systems networking. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Typical student debt for computer systems networking graduates is $14,054. Computer Systems Networking graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $49,706 early in their careers. Set against $14,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #18 for value in computer systems networking this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,479 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Early-career computer systems networking graduates make about $44,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College landed the #19 spot for computer systems networking value this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans. Computer Systems Networking 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.
Linn State Technical College landed the #20 spot for computer systems networking value this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,545 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Early-career computer systems networking graduates make about $41,270. Set against $11,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer systems networking schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Computer Systems Networking graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #22 position for value in computer systems networking this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the computer systems networking program here. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $68,047. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #23 position for value in computer systems networking this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $51,291. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value computer systems networking schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,477. Computer Systems Networking graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking degree recipients from Dunwoody College Of Technology generally make around $47,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
