2026 Best Value Computer & IS Security Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & is security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer & IS Security Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Louis Community College the best value for a degree in computer & is security in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $38,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Community College Area earned it the #2 place for computer & is security. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $14,935. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Bismarck State College one of the best values for computer & is security. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer & is security will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #4. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $17,694. Computer & Is Security graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $66,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,694 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $20,998. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $46,775. Set against $20,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College earned the #6 position for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College placed #7 among the best values for computer & is security. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #8 for value in computer & is security this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $15,866. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pine Technical College landed the #9 spot for computer & is security value this year. Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pine City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738. Students borrow a median of $22,454 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of Pine Technical College earn a median of $44,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College placed #10 among the best values for computer & is security. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $48,652. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
Anoka Ramsey Community College earned the #11 position for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $44,293. Set against $22,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #12 for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $43,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #14 for value in computer & is security this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $10,500. Computer & Is Security graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $82,921 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $39,434. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for computer & is security. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $17,650. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,179. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Technical College came in at #17 for value in computer & is security this year. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,267. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $18,408. Computer & Is Security graduates of Anoka Technical College earn a median of $44,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,408 median debt.
Wichita State University landed the #18 spot for computer & is security value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #19 among the best values for computer & is security. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,990 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $39,603 early in their careers. Set against $18,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #20 position for value in computer & is security this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $56,987 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #21 among the best values for computer & is security. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $62,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #22 for value in computer & is security this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,038 to complete the computer & is security program here. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $57,502. That is a strong return on a $25,038 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Butler Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,225 to complete the computer & is security program here. Computer & Is Security graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,225 median debt.
Southeast Technical Institute earned the #24 position for value in computer & is security this year. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,650. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $17,756 in student loans. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $42,439. Set against $17,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #25 position for value in computer & is security this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Typical student debt for computer & is security graduates is $29,026. Soon after graduation, computer & is security degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Computer & IS Security Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & is security:
Narrow Computer & IS Security Schools by State
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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
[Computer & IS Security](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-technology/computer-is-security/) 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.
