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Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

39 Schools Ranked
$6,177 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,521 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

The Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking is one of many tools that Computer Science Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 39 schools in the Plains States Region 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.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Southeast Community College Area

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

Our 2023 rankings named Southeast Community College Area the best value school in the Plains States Region for computer science students working on their associate degree. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Southeast Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,780 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,475 in loans while pursuing their degree.

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.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Southeast Community College also did well on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

118 Total Awards
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 39 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 118 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,680 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,886 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MCC. In fact, around 68% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

MCC also took the #3 spot in our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.

Full Metropolitan Community College Report

30 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indian Hills Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Indian Hills Community College is a small public school located in Ottumwa, Iowa that handed out 30 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IHCC are $6,000 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,117 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since IHCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 36% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

IHCC also made our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #2.

Read More…

19 Total Awards
$5,910 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Alexandria Technical & Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value computer science schools in the Plains States Region . ATCC is a small public school situated in Alexandria, Minnesota. It awarded 19 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

ATCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,910 in tuition and fees each 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. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

ATCC also made our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #5.

Full Alexandria Technical & Community College Report

#5

Central Community College

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

Out of the 39 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Central Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Grand Island, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school handed out 19 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,590 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,095 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 More…

#6

North Hennepin Community College

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

North Hennepin Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Hennepin Community College are $4,882 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $24,520 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Hennepin Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#7

Lake Area Technical Institute

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

Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree computer science programs. This small public school is located in Watertown, South Dakota, and it awarded 25 associate 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 associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,724 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at LATI. 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.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, LATI is ranked #4 for overall quality in the Plains States Region .

Full Lake Area Technical Institute Report

39 Total Awards
$5,874 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. St Cloud Technical and Community College is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 associate degrees to qualified students.

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 associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,104 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at St Cloud Technical and Community College. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#9

Normandale Community College

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

Normandale 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 Bloomington, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 51 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Normandale Community College are $5,789 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,674 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Normandale Community College 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. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Normandale Community College

#10

Grantham University

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

With a ranking of #10, Grantham University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 42 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Grantham University are $8,280 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $23,791 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Since Grantham University is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Grantham University not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Read full report on Grantham University

#11

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas
53 Total Awards
$5,352 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Johnson County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. Johnson County Community College is a fairly large public school located in Overland Park, Kansas that handed out 53 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

JCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,979 in student loans.

JCCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Johnson County Community College

#12

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, Minnesota
56 Total Awards
$5,515 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Anoka-Ramsey Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota that handed out 56 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus are $5,515 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,645 in student loans.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus 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, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College Report

#13

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
72 Total Awards
$5,741 Average Tuition & Fees

Hennepin Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Hennepin Technical College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 72 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,741 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,067 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Hennepin Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Hennepin Technical College

#14

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
15 Total Awards
$5,010 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,887 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Northeast is a medium-sized public school situated in Norfolk, Nebraska. It awarded 15 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Northeast undergraduate students pay an average of $5,010 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,887 in student loans.

Northeast 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. In fact, around 35% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Northeast Community College Report

#15

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
27 Total Awards
$6,208 Average Tuition & Fees

Dakota County Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small public school is located in Rosemount, Minnesota, and it awarded 27 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

DCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,208 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,942 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DCTC. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Dakota County Technical College Report

#16

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
58 Total Awards
$7,650 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeast Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.

Southeast Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $7,650 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,480 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Southeast Tech does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

93 Total Awards
$5,906 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,611 Avg Student Debt

Minneapolis Community and Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 93 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,906 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $26,611 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Minneapolis Community and Technical College Report

80 Total Awards
$10,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large public school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 80 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DMACC are $10,440 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,614 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DMACC. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

DMACC also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Des Moines Area Community College

#19

Ozarks Technical Community College

Springfield, Missouri
54 Total Awards
$6,028 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,198 Avg Student Debt

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree computer science programs. OTC is located in Springfield, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OTC are $6,028 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,198 in student loans.

OTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Ozarks Technical Community College

#20

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
57 Total Awards
$7,072 Average Tuition & Fees

Kirkwood Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fairly large public school handed out 57 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Kirkwood Community College are $7,072 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,972 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Kirkwood Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Kirkwood Community College Report

#21

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
24 Total Awards
$8,650 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Iowa Central Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and it awarded 24 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,650 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $21,832 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Iowa Central Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Iowa Central Community College

#22

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
55 Total Awards
$6,041 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,862 Avg Student Debt

Saint Paul 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 #22 on the list. Saint Paul College is a medium-sized public school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 55 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Saint Paul College are $6,041 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,862 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 Saint Paul College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Saint Paul College Report

#23

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, Missouri
43 Total Awards
$6,900 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,948 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, St Charles Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their associate degree. SCC is a public institution located in Cottleville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 43 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SCC are $6,900 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,948 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full St Charles Community College Report

#24

Western Dakota Technical Institute

Rapid City, South Dakota
10 Total Awards
$8,332 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Dakota Technical Institute landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree computer science programs. Western Dakota Tech is a public institution located in Rapid City, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Dakota Tech are $8,332 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,643 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Western Dakota Tech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Western Dakota Technical Institute Report

#25

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri
44 Total Awards
$7,155 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,964 Avg Student Debt

Saint Louis 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 #25 on the list. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 44 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Saint Louis Community College are $7,155 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,964 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Saint Louis Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Saint Louis Community College Report

View Best Value Associate Degree Computer Science Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

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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