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Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

43 Schools Ranked
$10,336 Avg Tuition & Fees*

It's not easy to decide which computer science program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

The Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking is one of many tools that Computer Science Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 43 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best basic certificate programs for computer science students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
$4,746 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Fox Valley Technical College the best school in the Great Lakes Region for computer science students working on their basic certificate.

In-state students pay an average of $4,746 in tuition and fees if they attend FVTC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,861.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since FVTC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 42% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#2

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
$4,600 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Madison Area Technical College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,600 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Madison College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,769.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Madison College. In 2019-2020 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#3

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
$10,720 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at University of Wisconsin - Madison helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best computer science schools in the Great Lakes Region .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW - Madison is $10,720. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $38,608.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UW - Madison. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Wisconsin - Madison

$4,329 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sinclair Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Students from Ohio who attend Sinclair Community College full time pay an average of $4,329 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,076.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sinclair Community College. 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 Sinclair Community College

#5

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Shell Lake, Wisconsin
$4,900 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

In-state students pay an average of $4,900 in tuition and fees if they attend WITC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,960.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WITC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Report

#6

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
$4,568 Average Tuition & Fees

Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CVTC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,683.

CVTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Chippewa Valley Technical College

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
$9,992 Average Tuition & Fees

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $9,992 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Purdue. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $28,794.

Purdue 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 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Report

$4,734 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #8 on the list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NWTC is $4,734. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,849.

NWTC 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. 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.

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#9

University of Michigan - Dearborn

Dearborn, Michigan
$13,816 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate.

Students from Michigan who attend UM Dearborn full time pay an average of $13,816 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $28,048.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UM Dearborn. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Michigan - Dearborn

#10

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
$4,637 Average Tuition & Fees

Ivy Tech Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #10 on the list.

In-state students pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees if they attend Ivy Tech Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,927.

One thing to take note of is that Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#11

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
$4,488 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Waukesha County Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate.

Students from Wisconsin who attend WCTC full time pay an average of $4,488 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,603.

WCTC 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. 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.

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Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cuyahoga Community College District. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Cuyahoga Community College District

#13

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
$8,874 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #13 on the list.

In-state students pay an average of $8,874 in tuition and fees if they attend UW - Eau Claire full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,149.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UW - Eau Claire. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

#14

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$47,808 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working on their basic certificate.

The average tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago is $47,808. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

Online courses are available at Loyola Chicago, 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, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#15

Lansing Community College

Lansing, Michigan
$7,340 Average Tuition & Fees

Lansing Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

In-state students pay an average of $7,340 in tuition and fees if they attend LCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,760.

Online courses are available at LCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Lansing Community College Report

#16

Xavier University

Cincinnati, Ohio
$42,460 Average Tuition & Fees

Xavier University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

The average tuition and fees at Xavier is $42,460. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

One thing to take note of is that Xavier does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 27% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Xavier University

$11,777 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

In-state students pay an average of $11,777 in tuition and fees if they attend UC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $27,111.

UC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Report

$10,044 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #18 on the list.

Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $10,044 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend IUPUI. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $32,101.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since IUPUI does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#19

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
$4,418 Average Tuition & Fees

Mid-State Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #19 on the list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mid-State is $4,418. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,351.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mid-State does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Mid-State Technical College

#20

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin
$4,688 Average Tuition & Fees

Gateway Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #20 on the list.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,688 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Gateway Technical College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,803.

One thing to take note of is that Gateway Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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$9,834 Average Tuition & Fees

Wright State University - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wright State University - Main Campus is $9,834. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,252.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Wright State University - Main Campus. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Wright State University - Main Campus Report

#22

Western Technical College

La Crosse, Wisconsin
$4,572 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate computer science programs.

In-state students pay an average of $4,572 in tuition and fees if they attend Western Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,687.

Western Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#23

Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, Michigan
$4,248 Average Tuition & Fees

Washtenaw Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Students from Michigan who attend Washtenaw Community College full time pay an average of $4,248 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,856.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Washtenaw Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#24

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
$10,125 Average Tuition & Fees

Purdue University Global ranked #24 on this year’s Best Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

In-state students pay an average of $10,125 in tuition and fees if they attend Purdue University Global full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,436.

Purdue University Global is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Purdue University Global Report

#25

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate computer science programs.

One thing to take note of is that Ferris does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Ferris State University Report

View Best Basic Certificate Computer Science Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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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