2023 Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree 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.
The Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking is one of many tools that Computer Science Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 302 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for computer science 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.
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Top Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Southeast Community College Area to be the best value school for computer science students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school handed out 74 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeast Community College are $3,780 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,475 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southeast Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 42% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its great value ranking, Southeast Community College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list.
Out of the 302 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s value ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 118 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,680 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,886 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
MCC 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, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
MCC also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
The excellent associate degree programs at Indian Hills Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value computer science schools in the United States. This small public school is located in Ottumwa, Iowa, and it awarded 30 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
IHCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,117 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since IHCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 36% took at least some of their classes online.
IHCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. Alexandria, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ATCC are $5,910 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,116 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
ATCC 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its great value ranking, ATCC is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list.
Read full report on Alexandria Technical & Community College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. Central Community College is a public institution located in Grand Island, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 19 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Community College are $4,590 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,095 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Central Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Central Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list.
Collin County Community College District ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. Collin County Community College District is a large public school located in McKinney, Texas that handed out 137 associate 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,379 in student loans.
Collin County Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its great value ranking, Collin County Community College District is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. Located in Appleton, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 120 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,318 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since FVTC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, FVTC is ranked #5 for overall quality in the United States.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking. Madison Area Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 113 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Madison College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,769 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $21,947 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Madison College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Madison College also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
North Hennepin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Hennepin Community College are $4,882 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,520 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that North Hennepin Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, North Hennepin Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking.
American Public University System did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, the large private for-profit school awarded 92 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
American Military University undergraduate students pay an average of $7,360 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,232 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
American Military University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
American Military University also made our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list, coming in at #3.
NorthWest Arkansas Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Bentonville, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWACC are $4,456 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,871 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NWACC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LATI are $6,718 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,724 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
LATI does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, LATI also did well on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CVTC are $6,683 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,208 in student loans.
Online courses are available at CVTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CVTC also is in the top 5% of our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking.
St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree computer science programs. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 39 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,104 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
St Cloud Technical and Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
St Cloud Technical and Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list.
North Seattle College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree computer science programs. North Seattle is a small public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 17 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Seattle are $4,799 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,214 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Seattle does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Normandale Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Bloomington, Minnesota that handed out 51 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Normandale Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,789 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,674 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Normandale Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Normandale Community College also is in the top 15% of our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Brigham Young University - Idaho ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 90 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,200 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
BYU - I does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #18, Grantham University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. Lenexa, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.
Grantham University undergraduate students pay an average of $8,280 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,791 in student loans.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Grantham University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Grantham University is ranked #4 for overall quality in the United States.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a small public school located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin that handed out 33 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
WITC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,960 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,285 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WITC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, WITC also is in the top 10% of our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Chattahoochee Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Chattahoochee Technical College is located in Marietta, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 115 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Chattahoochee Technical College are $5,602 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,365 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Chattahoochee Technical College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bossier Parish Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Bossier Parish Community College is a public institution located in Bossier City, Louisiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 46 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Bossier Parish Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,284 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,507 in student loans.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Bossier Parish Community College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Gwinnett Technical College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 208 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at GTC are $5,636 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,433 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that GTC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. WCTC is a medium-sized public school situated in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 78 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,402 in loans while pursuing their degree.
WCTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 17% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, WCTC also did well on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
El Centro College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools list. El Centro College is located in Dallas, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 292 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,961 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that El Centro College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
Johnson County Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the fairly large public school handed out 53 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,979 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at JCCC. In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rest of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree 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
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best computer science schools ranking:
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
47 | Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI |
48 | Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor, MI |
49 | Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX |
50 | Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee, WA |
51 | Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland, WI |
52 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis, MN |
53 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI |
54 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN |
55 | Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA |
56 | Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL |
57 | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC |
58 | Amarillo College | Amarillo, TX |
58 | Georgia Military College | Milledgeville, GA |
60 | Lone Star College System | The Woodlands, TX |
61 | Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA |
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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