2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general computer engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
Missouri University Of Science And Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $78,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in general computer engineering will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $106,498. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general computer engineering. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,511 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $76,558 early in their careers. Set against $21,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $77,792. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $66,207. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #7 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,240 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $82,398. Set against $20,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University placed #8 among the best values for general computer engineering. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,766 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $77,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,766 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #9 for value in general computer engineering this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $24,337. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $79,182. Set against $24,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #10 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $83,243. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #11 for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $79,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #12 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $72,639. Set against $26,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #13 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #14 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $23,923. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $65,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Narrow General Computer Engineering Schools by State
More General Computer Engineering Rankings
View All General Computer Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
