2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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 Schools ranking. This report analyzed 758 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value 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.
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Top Value Computer Science Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Metropolitan Community College the best value school in the United States for computer science students working on their degree. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 134 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,680 per year. On average, students take out $13,886 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,258 during the early years of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, MCC also did well on our Best Computer Science Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means North Hennepin Community College is a great place for computer science students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 153 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
North Hennepin Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,882 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $24,533 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.
North Hennepin Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Indian Hills Community College is a great place for computer science students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Indian Hills Community College is a small public school located in Ottumwa, Iowa that handed out 30 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IHCC are $6,000 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,709 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from IHCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,385 during the early years of their career.
IHCC also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Alexandria Technical & Community College is a great place for computer science students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Alexandria Technical & Community College is a small public school located in Alexandria, Minnesota that handed out 21 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ATCC are $5,910 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,948 in student loans.After graduating from ATCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,141 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its great value ranking, ATCC is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools list.
Read full report on Alexandria Technical & Community College
Out of the 758 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Island, Nebraska. It awarded 99 degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,590 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $10,096 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Central Community College also did well on our Best Computer Science Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Chattahoochee Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #6 on the list. Chattahoochee Technical College is located in Marietta, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 475 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Chattahoochee Technical College are $5,602 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,219 in student loans.After graduating from Chattahoochee Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,868 during the early years of their career.
Chattahoochee Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools list.
Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #7 on the list. Appleton, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 162 students in 2020-2021.
FVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,861 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,511 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, FVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,943 during the early year of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, FVTC also did well on our Best Computer Science Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Collin County Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #8 on the list. This large public school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 305 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,104 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,379 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Collin County Community College District graduates make an average of $42,890 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, Collin County Community College District is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools list.
Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools list. LATI is a small public school situated in Watertown, South Dakota. It awarded 31 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LATI are $6,718 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,395 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $115, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, LATI graduates make an average of $36,525 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, LATI also is in the top 5% of our Best Computer Science Schools ranking.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Madison College is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 244 degrees in 2020-2021.
Madison College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,769 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,738 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Madison College graduates make an average of $40,202 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Madison College also is in the top 5% of our Best Computer Science Schools ranking.
NorthWest Arkansas Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools list. Located in Bentonville, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NWACC are $4,456 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,393 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NWACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,836 during the early year of their career.
North Seattle College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools list. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school awarded 77 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
North Seattle undergraduate students pay an average of $4,799 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,979 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from North Seattle, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,851 during the early years of their career.
St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualifed students 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,381 in student loans. During the early years of their career, St Cloud Technical and Community College graduates make an average of $40,365 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, St Cloud Technical and Community College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools list.
Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 379 degrees in 2020-2021.
BYU - I undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,533 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from BYU - I, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,650 during the early years of their career.
Normandale Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Bloomington, Minnesota that handed out 55 degrees in 2020-2021.
Normandale Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,789 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $20,674 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Normandale Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,929 during the early year of their career.
Normandale Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools list.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools list. CVTC is a medium-sized public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 141 degrees in 2020-2021.
CVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,333 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,325 during the early year of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CVTC also is in the top 10% of our Best Computer Science Schools ranking.
La Salle University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools ranking. La Salle is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 degrees to qualified students.
La Salle undergraduate students pay an average of $33,150 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $24,877 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $410 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, La Salle graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,822 during the early year of their career.
Bossier Parish Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Bossier City, Louisiana, the medium-sized public school handed out 125 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bossier Parish Community College are $4,284 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,492 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Bossier Parish Community College graduates make an average of $36,548 annually.
Gwinnett Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools list. GTC is a public institution located in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 708 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GTC are $5,636 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,644 in student loans.After graduating from GTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,584 during the early years of their career.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools ranking. This small public school is located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, and it awarded 76 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WITC are $6,960 per year. On average, students take out $12,892 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from WITC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,898 during the early years of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, WITC also is in the top 10% of our Best Computer Science Schools ranking.
Western Governors University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #21 on the list. WGU is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,881 degrees to qualified students.
WGU undergraduate students pay an average of $7,452 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,218 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WGU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,838 during the early year of their career.
WGU also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Brigham Young University - Provo ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 471 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BYU are $6,120 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,534 in student loans. During the early years of their career, BYU graduates make an average of $46,470 annually.
BYU excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools list.
Augusta Technical College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Augusta Technical College is located in Augusta, Georgia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 241 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Augusta Technical College are $5,632 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,094 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Augusta Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,664 during the early year of their career.
Wake Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #24 on the list. This large public school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,211 degrees in 2020-2021.
Wake Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,912 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,490 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Wake Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,991 during the early year of their career.
Wake Technical Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 94 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,321 in student loans. During the early years of their career, WCTC graduates make an average of $38,058 annually.
WCTC also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Narrow Schools by Region
Rest of the Top Value Computer Science Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best computer science schools ranking:
More Nationwide Rankings
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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