Find Tech Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region

80 Schools Ranked
$43,395 Average Earnings
$25,414 Avg Student Debt

Today's computer science students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Computer Science Degree Search has created the Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 80 schools in the Plains States 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 Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

$43,385 Average Earnings
$17,709 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Indian Hills Community College the best school in the Plains States Region for computer science students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,709 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, IHCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,385 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#2

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
$36,525 Average Earnings
$16,395 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lake Area Technical Institute. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Degree recipients from LATI accumulate an average of $16,395 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 $115 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, LATI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,525 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

$40,141 Average Earnings
$15,948 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.

On average, students take out $15,948 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, ATCC graduates make an average of $40,141 annually.

Read full report on Alexandria Technical & Community College

$37,258 Average Earnings
$13,886 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Metropolitan Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Degree recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $13,886 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, MCC graduates make an average of $37,258 annually.

Full Metropolitan Community College Report

#5

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$56,351 Average Earnings
$21,455 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 80 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the # 5 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,455 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $307, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UST MN graduates make an average of $56,351 annually.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Report

#6

Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,418 Average Earnings
$22,832 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Dunwoody College of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

Degree recipients from Dunwoody College of Technology accumulate an average of $22,832 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Dunwoody College of Technology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,418 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Dunwoody College of Technology

#7

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
$61,341 Average Earnings
$18,648 Avg Student Debt

Washington University in St Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #7 on the list.

Degree recipients from WUSTL accumulate an average of $18,648 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WUSTL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,341 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#8

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska
$44,380 Average Earnings
$21,763 Avg Student Debt

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #8 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 $21,763 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $298, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNL graduates make an average of $44,380 annually.

Read More…

#9

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
$42,370 Average Earnings
$24,533 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, North Hennepin 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 $24,533 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, North Hennepin Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,370 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on North Hennepin Community College

#10

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
$46,901 Average Earnings
$21,797 Avg Student Debt

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

On average, students take out $21,797 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $398, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Mizzou graduates make an average of $46,901 annually.

Read full report on University of Missouri - Columbia

$37,576 Average Earnings
$16,577 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

On average, students take out $16,577 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $64, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DMACC graduates make an average of $37,576 annually.

Read More…

$63,979 Average Earnings
$24,872 Avg Student Debt

Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

On average, students take out $24,872 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $336 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Missouri University of Science and Technology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $63,979 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#13

St Cloud Technical and Community College

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
$40,365 Average Earnings
$18,381 Avg Student Debt

St Cloud Technical and Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,381 in student loans.After graduating from St Cloud Technical and Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,365 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College

#14

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
$39,912 Average Earnings
$20,379 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Southeast Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

On average, students take out $20,379 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southeast Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,912 during the early year of their career.

Full Southeast Technical College Report

#15

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
$41,929 Average Earnings
$20,674 Avg Student Debt

Normandale Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

Degree recipients from Normandale Community College accumulate an average of $20,674 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Normandale Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,929 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Normandale Community College

#16

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,445 Average Earnings
$21,399 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #16 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.

On average, students take out $21,399 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $257, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMN Twin Cities, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,445 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report

#17

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
$54,053 Average Earnings
$29,741 Avg Student Debt

Bellevue University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,741 in student loans.After graduating from Bellevue University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,053 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#18

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
$51,202 Average Earnings
$25,051 Avg Student Debt

Saint Louis University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

Degree recipients from SLU accumulate an average of $25,051 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $511, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SLU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,202 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

$46,060 Average Earnings
$24,437 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

On average, students take out $24,437 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $133. During the early years of their career, Minnesota State Mankato graduates make an average of $46,060 annually.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Report

#20

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska
$35,791 Average Earnings
$10,096 Avg Student Debt

Central Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,096 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Central Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,791 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Central Community College

#21

Dakota State University

Madison, South Dakota
$49,355 Average Earnings
$28,216 Avg Student Debt

Dakota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #21 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,216 in student loans.After graduating from Dakota State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,355 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Dakota State University

#22

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
$45,255 Average Earnings
$23,965 Avg Student Debt

Kansas State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,965 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $273, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, K -State graduates make an average of $45,255 annually.

Read More…

#23

Southwestern College

Winfield, Kansas
$49,694 Average Earnings
$27,267 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, Southwestern College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.

Degree recipients from SC accumulate an average of $27,267 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,694 during the early year of their career.

Full Southwestern College Report

#24

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
$35,469 Average Earnings
$25,246 Avg Student Debt

Luther College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #24 on the list.

On average, students take out $25,246 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $283. Once they receive their degree, Luther graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,469 during the early year of their career.

Full Luther College Report

#25

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
$45,870 Average Earnings
$25,873 Avg Student Debt

Saint Cloud State University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.

On average, students take out $25,873 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from St. Cloud State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,870 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Saint Cloud State University

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.

Featured Schools

Find Computer Science Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited computer and technology colleges across the U.S.