2027 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for software engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in software engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Software Engineering Schools
University Of Minnesota Crookston tops our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $48,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Cloud State University earned it the #2 place for software engineering. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $77,792. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, software 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.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $27,500. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for software engineering. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,511 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $76,558. Set against $21,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #6 for value in software 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, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,240 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $82,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Iowa State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $24,337. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $79,182. That is a strong return on a $24,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #8 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Software Engineering graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $48,263 early in their careers. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.