2023 Best Value Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Computer Science Degree Search has created the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 66 schools in the Plains States Region to see which bachelor's 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.
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Top Value Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Bellevue University the best value school in the Plains States Region for computer science students working on their bachelor’s degree. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bellevue, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 433 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bellevue University are $8,310 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $29,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bellevue University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Bellevue University also did well on our Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Park University is a great place for computer science students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 174 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Park University undergraduate students pay an average of $8,853 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,592 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Park University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Wayne State College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value computer science schools in the Plains States Region . Wayne State College is a small public school located in Wayne, Nebraska that handed out 26 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
WSC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,458 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,937 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at WSC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 31% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Dakota State University is a great place for computer science students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Madison, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 240 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Dakota State are $12,735 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $28,863 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 Dakota State does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Metropolitan State University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Metro State is a medium-sized public school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 212 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Metro State are $9,394 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,492 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Metro State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Capella University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 237 students in 2020-2021.
Capella University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,148 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $36,933 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Capella University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
With a ranking of #7, South Dakota State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their bachelor’s degree. This fairly large public school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 25 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,809 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,563 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at South Dakota State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
Grantham University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 83 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Grantham University are $8,280 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $33,932 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Grantham University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Bemidji State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Bemidji State University is located in Bemidji, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bemidji State University are $9,806 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $26,810 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Bemidji State University does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 79 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $18,200 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,437 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Minnesota State Mankato does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Minnesota State Mankato also did well on our Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
University of North Dakota ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 49 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UND are $15,037 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $25,584 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that UND does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 81 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,876 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,435 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
North Dakota State University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the fairly large public school handed out 193 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St. Cloud State University are $18,010 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,953 in student loans.
St. Cloud State University 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 39% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fort Hays State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Fort Hays State University is a fairly large public school located in Hays, Kansas that handed out 200 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
FHSU undergraduate students pay an average of $15,870 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $28,547 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at FHSU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 59 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northwest are $14,919 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,189 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Northwest 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 46% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #16, Walden University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their bachelor’s degree. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Walden University are $10,459 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $45,244 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Walden University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
University of Minnesota - Morris ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. UMN Morris is a public institution located in Morris, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMN Morris are $15,940 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,690 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at UMN Morris, 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 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 70 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Southeast Missouri State University undergraduate students pay an average of $15,285 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,121 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southeast Missouri State University. In 2019-2020 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Dunwoody College of Technology ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Dunwoody College of Technology are $23,863 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $34,495 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Dunwoody College of Technology. 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.
Dunwoody College of Technology excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Winona State University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree computer science programs. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Winona State are $16,684 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,110 in student loans.
Winona State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree computer science programs. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMN Duluth are $19,148 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,055 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UMN Duluth. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 125 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNL are $26,720 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,252 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UNL. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
UNL also took the #5 spot in our Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.
With a ranking of #23, Emporia State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Emporia, Kansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 20 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ESU are $14,918 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,476 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ESU does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 42% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Lindenwood University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 88 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lindenwood University are $18,640 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $30,304 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lindenwood University does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #25, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the large public school awarded 143 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou undergraduate students pay an average of $30,450 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,927 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Mizzou, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Mizzou is ranked #3 for overall quality in the Plains States Region .
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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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