2026 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Engineering Schools
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $89,965. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,327 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $79,022. Set against $25,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $103,123. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in computer engineering will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $124,649. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for computer engineering. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $15,865. Computer Engineering graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #6 among the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $71,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,083. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $51,424. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #8 among the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $71,986. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #9 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $78,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #10 among the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $71,635. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #12 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,320 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $69,070 early in their careers. Set against $23,320 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in computer engineering this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. 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 computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, 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. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for computer engineering. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,000. Computer Engineering graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #17 position for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $76,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Grand Valley State University placed #18 among the best values for computer engineering. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $26,676. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $80,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #19 spot for computer engineering value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,547 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $68,852 early in their careers. Set against $25,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo placed #20 among the best values for computer engineering. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $26,424 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $68,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #21 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #22 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $24,999 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $83,934. That is a strong return on a $24,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #23 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $26,500. Computer Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $81,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for computer engineering. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $67,949. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer engineering:
Narrow Computer Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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 Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/) 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.
