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Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

8 Colleges
$5,678 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$32,978 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Computer Information Systems Associate Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, 88,434 degrees and certificates were awarded to computer information systems students, making the major the most popular in the country.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for computer science students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Computer Science Degree Search has developed this Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 8 schools in the Plains States Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for CIS students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

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.

2023 Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for CIS majors pursuing a associate degree.

Best Plains States Region Schools for Affordable Quality for an Associate in Computer Information Systems

Our 2023 rankings named Southeast Community College Area the best value school in the Plains States Region for computer information systems students working on their associate degree. Southeast Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Lincoln.

Southeast Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,780 in tuition and fees each year. CIS majors at Southeast Community College take out an average of $22,748 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Southeast Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Full Computer Information Systems at Southeast Community College Area Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Metropolitan Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. MCC is a large public school located in the large city of Omaha.

MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,680 in tuition and fees each year. On average, CIS graduates from MCC take out $15,316 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

MCC also took the #3 spot in our Best Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.

Full Computer Information Systems at Metropolitan Community College Report

#3

Central Community College

Grand Island, NE

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,590 in tuition and fees each year. CIS majors at Central Community College take out an average of $12,507 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Computer Information Systems at Central Community College

Out of the 8 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeast Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the remote town of Norfolk, Northeast is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Northeast are $5,010 a year. After completing their Associate Degree, CIS graduates from Northeast carry an average student debtload of $14,805.

Full Computer Information Systems at Northeast Community College Report

#5

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, MO

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Saint Louis Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

Saint Louis Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,155 in tuition and fees each year. On average, CIS graduates from Saint Louis Community College take out $8,408 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Computer Information Systems at Saint Louis Community College Report

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. DMACC is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DMACC are $10,440 per year. On average, CIS graduates from DMACC take out $18,496 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, DMACC also did well on our Best Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Computer Information Systems at Des Moines Area Community College

#7

Park University

Parkville, MO

With a ranking of #7, Park University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer information systems students working on their associate degree. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Park University are $8,853 per year. The average amount in student loans that CIS majors at Park University take out while working on their Associate Degree is $14,746.

Read More…

#8

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

Columbia College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Information Systems Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia College Missouri are $11,636 per year. On average, CIS graduates from Columbia College Missouri take out $29,398 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Computer Information Systems at Columbia College

Best Computer Information Systems Colleges by State

Explore the best computer information systems colleges for a specific state in the Plains States region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 387
Minnesota 681
Missouri 1,395
Iowa 490
South Dakota 243
North Dakota 96
Nebraska 602

Computer Information Systems is one of 10 different types of computer science programs to choose from.

CIS Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Computer & Information Sciences 51,681
Information Technology 31,531
Informatics 2,726
Other Computer & Information Sciences 1,887
Artificial Intelligence 518
Human-Centered Technology Design 91

Related Major Annual Graduates
Computer Science 59,565
Information Technology 40,555
Information Science 18,325
Computer Systems Networking 14,700
Computer Software & Applications 14,336

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 8 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 the rest 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.

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