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2023 Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

302 Schools Ranked
$5,771 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$19,692 Avg Student Debt*

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.

Top Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the United States

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Southeast Community College Area

Lincoln, Nebraska
74 Total Awards
$3,780 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read More…

118 Total Awards
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Full Metropolitan Community College Report

30 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Full Indian Hills Community College Report

19 Total Awards
$5,910 Average Tuition & Fees

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

#5

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska
19 Total Awards
$4,590 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Full Central Community College Report

137 Total Awards
$5,104 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read More…

#7

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
120 Total Awards
$6,861 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read More…

#8

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
113 Total Awards
$6,769 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Full Madison Area Technical College Report

#9

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
25 Total Awards
$4,882 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read More…

#10

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
92 Total Awards
$7,360 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read full report on American Public University System

#11

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, Arkansas
14 Total Awards
$4,456 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,871 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read More…

#12

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
25 Total Awards
$6,718 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read full report on Lake Area Technical Institute

#13

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
80 Total Awards
$6,683 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read full report on Chippewa Valley Technical College

#14

St Cloud Technical and Community College

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
39 Total Awards
$5,874 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Full St Cloud Technical and Community College Report

#15

North Seattle College

Seattle, Washington
17 Total Awards
$4,799 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,214 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on North Seattle College

#16

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
51 Total Awards
$5,789 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Full Normandale Community College Report

90 Total Awards
$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,200 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full Brigham Young University - Idaho Report

#18

Grantham University

Lenexa, Kansas
42 Total Awards
$8,280 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read full report on Grantham University

#19

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Shell Lake, Wisconsin
33 Total Awards
$6,960 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read More…

#20

Chattahoochee Technical College

Marietta, Georgia
115 Total Awards
$5,602 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read More…

#21

Bossier Parish Community College

Bossier City, Louisiana
46 Total Awards
$4,284 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,507 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on Bossier Parish Community College

#22

Gwinnett Technical College

Lawrenceville, Georgia
208 Total Awards
$5,636 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,433 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on Gwinnett Technical College

#23

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
78 Total Awards
$6,603 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Read full report on Waukesha County Technical College

#24

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
292 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

Full El Centro College Report

#25

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas
53 Total Awards
$5,352 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,979 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full Johnson County Community College Report

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:

#26

Augusta Technical College

Augusta, Georgia
#27

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, Minnesota
#28

Sinclair Community College

Dayton, Ohio
#29

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
#30

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
#31

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts
#32

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
#33

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
#34

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
#35

Middlesex Community College

Bedford, Massachusetts
#37

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
#38

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#39

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Green Bay, Wisconsin
#40

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington
#41

Athens Technical College

Athens, Georgia
#42

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
#44

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
#46

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin

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

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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