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2023 Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

137 Schools Ranked
$5,856 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$14,971 Avg Student Debt*

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for computer science students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Computer Science Degree Search has created its Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. This report analyzed 137 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value undergraduate certificate programs for computer science students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the United States

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska
28 Total Awards
$4,590 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Central Community College the best value school in the United States for computer science students working on their undergraduate certificate. Grand Island, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 28 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Community College are $4,590 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,103 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Central Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Central Community College also did well on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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4 Total Awards
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 137 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s value ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 4 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,680 per year.

MCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

MCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list.

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103 Total Awards
$5,104 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Collin County Community College District helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value computer science schools in the United States. This large public school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 103 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,104 per year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Collin County Community College District. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Collin County Community College District excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list.

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2 Total Awards
$5,910 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Alexandria Technical & Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value computer science schools in the United States. Located in Alexandria, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 2 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

ATCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,910 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,612 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ATCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

ATCC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list.

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#5

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
43 Total Awards
$6,769 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Madison Area Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value computer science schools in the United States. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 43 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,600 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Madison College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Madison College also took the #2 spot in our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools rankings.

Read full report on Madison Area Technical College

#6

Chattahoochee Technical College

Marietta, Georgia
70 Total Awards
$5,602 Average Tuition & Fees

Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate computer science programs. Located in Marietta, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 70 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Chattahoochee Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,602 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $24,500 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Chattahoochee Technical College. In 2019-2020 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Chattahoochee Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Full Chattahoochee Technical College Report

#7

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, Arkansas
2 Total Awards
$4,456 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,177 Avg Student Debt

NorthWest Arkansas Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate computer science programs. NWACC is a public institution located in Bentonville, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWACC are $4,456 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $17,177 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that NWACC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on NorthWest Arkansas Community College

#8

Gwinnett Technical College

Lawrenceville, Georgia
166 Total Awards
$5,636 Average Tuition & Fees

Gwinnett Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 166 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

GTC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,636 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,580 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at GTC. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

GTC also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Gwinnett Technical College

#9

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas
34 Total Awards
$5,352 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,810 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Johnson County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their undergraduate certificate. JCCC is a public institution located in Overland Park, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 34 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,810 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that JCCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Johnson County Community College

#10

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
35 Total Awards
$7,650 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeast Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate computer science programs. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the small public school handed out 35 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeast Tech are $7,650 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $20,041 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Southeast Tech does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Southeast Tech excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list.

Full Southeast Technical College Report

#11

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
22 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

El Centro College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. El Centro College is located in Dallas, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

El Centro College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,727 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that El Centro College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on El Centro College

#12

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
40 Total Awards
$4,704 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,476 Avg Student Debt

Amarillo College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate computer science programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Amarillo, Texas, and it awarded 40 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Amarillo College are $4,704 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,476 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Amarillo College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#13

Athens Technical College

Athens, Georgia
9 Total Awards
$5,462 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,918 Avg Student Debt

Athens Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. This small public school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 9 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Athens Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,462 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,918 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Athens Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Athens Technical College Report

#14

Bossier Parish Community College

Bossier City, Louisiana
4 Total Awards
$4,284 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,111 Avg Student Debt

Bossier Parish Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate computer science programs. Bossier Parish Community College is located in Bossier City, Louisiana and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bossier Parish Community College are $4,284 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $19,111 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, Bossier Parish Community College is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read full report on Bossier Parish Community College

#15

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
6 Total Awards
$6,208 Average Tuition & Fees

Dakota County Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. DCTC is located in Rosemount, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DCTC are $6,208 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,790 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at DCTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Dakota County Technical College

#16

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
18 Total Awards
$6,683 Average Tuition & Fees

Moraine Park Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school situated in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. It awarded 18 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,683 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,506 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Moraine Park Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 12% took at least some of their classes online.

Moraine Park Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list.

Read More…

#17

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
23 Total Awards
$5,200 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,779 Avg Student Debt

Oakland Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Oakland Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It awarded 23 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Oakland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,200 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,779 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Oakland Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 27% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#18

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, Minnesota
6 Total Awards
$5,515 Average Tuition & Fees

Anoka-Ramsey Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus are $5,515 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#19

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Total Awards
$6,849 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. NWTC is a fairly large public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 21 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

NWTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,849 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,858 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NWTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, NWTC also is in the top 20% of our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking.

Full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Report

#20

Western Technical College

La Crosse, Wisconsin
10 Total Awards
$6,687 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Western Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their undergraduate certificate. Western Technical College is a small public school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 10 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Western Technical College are $6,687 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,287 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Western Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Western Technical College also is in the top 20% of our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking.

Read More…

#21

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
79 Total Awards
$6,168 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,196 Avg Student Debt

Lone Star College System ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Lone Star College System is a large public school located in The Woodlands, Texas that handed out 79 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Harris Montgomery are $6,168 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,196 in loans while pursuing their degree.

North Harris Montgomery does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Lone Star College System

#22

St Cloud Technical and Community College

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
2 Total Awards
$5,874 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,211 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their undergraduate certificate. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 2 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

St Cloud Technical and Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,874 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,211 in student loans.

Online courses are available at St Cloud Technical and Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#23

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
13 Total Awards
$6,603 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,678 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, Waukesha County Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their undergraduate certificate. Waukesha County Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 13 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,678 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at WCTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 17% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Waukesha County Technical College

#24

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
473 Total Awards
$8,927 Average Tuition & Fees

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate computer science programs. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school awarded 473 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Ivy Tech Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,927 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Ivy Tech Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

In addition to its great value ranking, Ivy Tech Community College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Schools list.

Read full report on Ivy Tech Community College

#25

Augusta Technical College

Augusta, Georgia
8 Total Awards
$5,632 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,856 Avg Student Debt

Augusta Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate computer science programs. Augusta Technical College is a public institution located in Augusta, Georgia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Augusta Technical College are $5,632 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,856 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Augusta Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Augusta Technical College Report

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best computer science schools ranking:

Rank School Location
26 University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, AR
27 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
28 Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee, WA

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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