2027 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $124,649. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,327. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $79,022. That is a strong return on a $25,327 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $20,500. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $103,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $22,000. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $71,148. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Oakland University one of the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $78,709. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,083. General Computer Engineering graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $23,000. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $89,965. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Michigan Technological University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $27,000. General Computer Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $77,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #9 for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,320 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $69,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,320 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #10 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $24,119. General Computer Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #11 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,547. General Computer Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $68,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,547 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,247 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $83,342. Set against $20,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #14 among the best values for general computer engineering. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $27,981. General Computer Engineering graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #15 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $71,635. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,676 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $80,746. Set against $26,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $70,345. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Toledo landed the #18 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,424 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $68,597. That is a strong return on a $26,424 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #19 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,999 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $83,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,999 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #20 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $81,252. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Valparaiso University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $75,484. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #22 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,480. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $78,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University earned the #23 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $54,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $67,949. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $83,489. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general computer engineering this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
