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Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

116 Schools Ranked
$42,686 Average Earnings
$23,047 Avg Student Debt

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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Computer Science Degree Search has created its Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 116 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for computer science students.

View our full ranking methodology.

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

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
$58,860 Average Earnings
$19,395 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Notre Dame to be the best school for computer science students in the Great Lakes Region .

Degree recipients from Notre Dame accumulate an average of $19,395 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $578, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Notre Dame graduates make an average of $58,860 annually.

Full University of Notre Dame Report

#2

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
$58,051 Average Earnings
$17,682 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a great place for computer science students.

On average, students take out $17,682 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $419. During the early years of their career, U-M graduates make an average of $58,051 annually.

Read full report on University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

$53,270 Average Earnings
$18,891 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,891 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $415, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UIUC graduates make an average of $53,270 annually.

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#4

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
$36,943 Average Earnings
$14,511 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Fox Valley Technical College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

On average, students take out $14,511 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, FVTC graduates make an average of $36,943 annually.

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#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
$69,538 Average Earnings
$19,000 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 116 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the # 5 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,000 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $576, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northwestern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $69,538 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Northwestern University

#6

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
$40,202 Average Earnings
$19,738 Avg Student Debt

Madison Area Technical College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

Degree recipients from Madison College accumulate an average of $19,738 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Madison College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,202 during the early year of their career.

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#7

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
$50,802 Average Earnings
$20,865 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #7 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Degree recipients from UW - Madison accumulate an average of $20,865 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $336, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW - Madison graduates make an average of $50,802 annually.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Report

$32,938 Average Earnings
$15,593 Avg Student Debt

Sinclair Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

On average, students take out $15,593 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Sinclair Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,938 during the early years of their career.

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#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
$47,302 Average Earnings
$24,447 Avg Student Debt

Michigan State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

Degree recipients from Michigan State accumulate an average of $24,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $428. Once they receive their degree, Michigan State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,302 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Michigan State University

#10

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$62,519 Average Earnings
$15,217 Avg Student Debt

University of Chicago came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

On average, students take out $15,217 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $708, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UChicago graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,519 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Chicago

#11

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
$40,325 Average Earnings
$17,333 Avg Student Debt

Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #11 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,333 in student loans.After graduating from CVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,325 during the early years of their career.

Full Chippewa Valley Technical College Report

#12

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Shell Lake, Wisconsin
$32,898 Average Earnings
$12,892 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

Degree recipients from WITC accumulate an average of $12,892 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WITC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,898 during the early year of their career.

Full Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Report

$41,987 Average Earnings
$19,176 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,176 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Cincinnati State graduates make an average of $41,987 annually.

Read full report on Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

#14

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
$53,430 Average Earnings
$19,291 Avg Student Debt

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #14 on the list.

Degree recipients from Purdue accumulate an average of $19,291 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $358, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Purdue graduates make an average of $53,430 annually.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Report

$40,551 Average Earnings
$34,675 Avg Student Debt

Herzing University - Akron came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

On average, students take out $34,675 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $156 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Herzing Akron, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,551 during the early years of their career.

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#16

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
$35,780 Average Earnings
$15,847 Avg Student Debt

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

On average, students take out $15,847 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ivy Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,780 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Ivy Tech Community College

#17

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, Michigan
$60,470 Average Earnings
$24,749 Avg Student Debt

Michigan Technological University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #17 on the list.

Degree recipients from Michigan Tech accumulate an average of $24,749 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $294 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Michigan Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,470 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Michigan Technological University

#18

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
$38,058 Average Earnings
$18,321 Avg Student Debt

Waukesha County Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #18 on the list.

On average, students take out $18,321 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,058 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Waukesha County Technical College

#19

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
$52,581 Average Earnings
$21,711 Avg Student Debt

Marquette University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,711 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $485.After graduating from Marquette, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,581 during the early years of their career.

Full Marquette University Report

$62,001 Average Earnings
$22,022 Avg Student Debt

Case Western Reserve University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,022 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $458. Once they receive their degree, Case Western graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,001 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Case Western Reserve University

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$47,459 Average Earnings
$22,930 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,930 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $652. During the early years of their career, Loyola Chicago graduates make an average of $47,459 annually.

Read full report on Loyola University Chicago

#22

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
$44,025 Average Earnings
$19,851 Avg Student Debt

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

On average, students take out $19,851 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $395, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, IU Bloomington graduates make an average of $44,025 annually.

Read full report on Indiana University - Bloomington

#23

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
$42,330 Average Earnings
$21,871 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #23 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

On average, students take out $21,871 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $121 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW - Eau Claire graduates make an average of $42,330 annually.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Report

#24

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Green Bay, Wisconsin
$36,536 Average Earnings
$17,377 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

Degree recipients from NWTC accumulate an average of $17,377 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NWTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,536 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

#25

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
$37,031 Average Earnings
$14,592 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Moraine Park Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

On average, students take out $14,592 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Moraine Park Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,031 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Moraine Park Technical College

View Best Computer Science 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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