by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value computer engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in computer engineering, no school beat University Of Minnesota Crookston this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $48,840. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #2 place for computer engineering. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $106,498. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $77,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for 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 computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $76,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $78,964. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wichita State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, 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 Nebraska Lincoln ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $20,240 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $82,398. Set against $20,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Iowa State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $79,182. Set against $24,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #9 for value in computer engineering this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #10 among the best values for computer engineering. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $48,263. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kansas State University came in at #11 for value in computer engineering this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,766. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $77,938. Set against $25,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #12 spot for 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $72,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #13 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $79,228 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
