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2023 Best Value Colleges for Computer & Information Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

86 Ranked Colleges
14,658 Degrees Awarded
$8,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 254,454 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, computer and information sciences is the 6th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, computer and information sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $52,893 and had an average of $27,324 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 14,658 computer and information sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,764 and $31,560 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 86 colleges that offer a degree in computer and information sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent computer and information sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the computer and information sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Computer & Information Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 379 diplomas to qualified ’s computer and information sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $1,556 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WUSTL.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full WUSTL Computer & Information Sciences Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Metropolitan Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 134 diplomas to qualified ’s computer and information sciences students in 2020-2021.

MCC also made our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan Community College is $3,325 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at Metropolitan Community College

3

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 865 degrees to qualified ’s computer and information sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer & Information Sciences at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

4
SCC crest
St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend St Charles Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cottleville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer and information sciences degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend St Charles Community College is $2,107 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at SCC

5
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #5 spot on the list. Carleton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 54 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carleton, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Carleton College is $6,208 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Carleton Computer & Information Sciences Report

6
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 47 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Macalester not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester is $13,926 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at Macalester

7

Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized public school situated in Rolla, Missouri. It awarded 256 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri University of Science and Technology has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,356 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Computer & Information Sciences Report

8

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 215 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $11,005 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Computer & Information Sciences Report

9

Iowa State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 477 degrees to qualified ’s computer and information sciences students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Computer & Information Sciences at Iowa State

10

Indian Hills Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ottumwa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer and information sciences degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for IHCC is $7,064 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at Indian Hills Community College

11

University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer and information sciences degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,941 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer & Information Sciences at UMN Morris

12

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 121 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at University of Minnesota - Duluth

13
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s computer and information sciences degrees to qualified students.

Grinnell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grinnell is $12,835 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Computer & Information Sciences at Grinnell

14

With a ranking of #14, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, this large public school awarded 152 degrees to qualified ’s computer and information sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,177 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.

Read more about Computer & Information Sciences at DMACC

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 144 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UNL Computer & Information Sciences Report

16
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Hennepin Technical College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hennepin Technical College is a small school located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota that handed out 97 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Hennepin Technical College also made our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $9,462 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hennepin Technical College.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at Hennepin Technical College

17

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 222 diplomas to qualified ’s computer and information sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,991 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at UMSL

18
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #18, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 187 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also made our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Iowa Computer & Information Sciences Report

19

Dakota County Technical College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Rosemount, Minnesota, and it awarded 42 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,511 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend DCTC.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at Dakota County Technical College

20

Southeast Community College Area landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer and information sciences degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Community College is $4,293 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at Southeast Community College Area

21
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

With a ranking of #21, Kirkwood Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 134 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,182 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kirkwood Community College.

Read more about Computer & Information Sciences at Kirkwood Community College

22
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s computer and information sciences degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Olaf has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $11,112 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full St Olaf College Computer & Information Sciences Report

23

St Cloud Technical and Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 41 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College is $7,459 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Computer & Information Sciences at St Cloud Technical and Community College

24

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 107 ’s computer and information sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,835 for Plains States Region Computer & Information Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Computer & Information Sciences Report

25

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer & Information Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 352 degrees to qualified ’s computer and information sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $10,578 for plains states region computer & information sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UNOMAHA Computer & Information Sciences Report

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