2027 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for computer engineering students.
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2027 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
For return on investment in computer engineering, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,500. Early-career 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 Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $103,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Dearborn earned it the #3 place for computer engineering. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,327 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $79,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
A rank of #4 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $89,965. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #7 for value in computer engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $78,709 early in their careers. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #8 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,083. 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. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University earned the #9 position for value in computer engineering this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $77,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in computer engineering this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,320 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $69,070. Set against $23,320 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #11 among the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $24,119. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,247 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Cleveland State University earned the #14 position for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,547. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $68,852. That is a strong return on a $25,547 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $27,981. Computer Engineering graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #16 among the best values for computer engineering. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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 earned the #17 position for value in computer engineering this year. 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, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,676 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $80,746. Set against $26,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in 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. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $70,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Toledo came in at #19 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,424 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $68,597 early in their careers. Set against $26,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $81,252. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #21 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $24,999. Computer Engineering graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $83,934 early in their careers. Set against $24,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University landed the #22 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $75,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #23 for value in computer engineering this year. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $50,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $78,333. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #24 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for computer engineering value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $67,949. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for computer engineering this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
