2026 Best Value Computer & IS Security Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & is security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer & IS Security Schools
Des Moines Area Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer & is security schools in Iowa. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $17,694 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in computer & is security will find it at Iowa Western Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the computer & is security program here. Early-career computer & is security graduates make about $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for computer & is security. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Computer & Is Security graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Computer & Is Security graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
