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Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

21 Schools Ranked
$21,507 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$20,795 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Computer Science Degree Search has developed this Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 21 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best value graduate certificate programs for computer science students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

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 Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa
1 Total Awards
$6,606 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Simpson College to be the best value school for computer science students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in the Plains States Region . Simpson College is located in Indianola, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Simpson College graduate students pay an average of $6,606 in tuition and fees each year.

Online graduate courses are available at Simpson College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 38% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Simpson College Report

#2

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
11 Total Awards
$6,435 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Park University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 11 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Park University graduate students pay an average of $6,435 in tuition and fees each year.

Park University does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Park University Report

4 Total Awards
$9,308 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Minnesota State University - Mankato is a great place for computer science students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 4 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $9,308 a year.

Minnesota State Mankato does have options available for those who want to take online graduate 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, 40% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

3 Total Awards
$10,890 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at SMU MN are $10,890 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at SMU MN. In 2019-2020 about 86% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Report

#5

Dakota State University

Madison, South Dakota
7 Total Awards
$11,931 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 21 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Dakota State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Madison, South Dakota, and it awarded 7 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Dakota State are $11,931 a year.

One thing to take note of is that Dakota State does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 96% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Dakota State University Report

#6

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
6 Total Awards
$10,237 Average Tuition & Fees

Metropolitan State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Metropolitan State University is a medium-sized public school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 6 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Metro State are $10,237 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Metro State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Metropolitan State University Report

1 Total Awards
$12,028 Average Tuition & Fees

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at North Dakota State University are $12,028 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at North Dakota State University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 20% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#8

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
38 Total Awards
$10,092 Average Tuition & Fees

Walden University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the large private for-profit school handed out 38 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Walden University are $10,092 per year.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Walden University. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

#9

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
101 Total Awards
$23,736 Average Tuition & Fees

University of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 101 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UST MN are $23,736 a year.

UST MN does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

UST MN not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Read full report on University of St Thomas Minnesota

#10

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
8 Total Awards
$22,614 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Louis University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate computer science programs. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 8 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at SLU are $22,614 per year.

SLU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 57% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

SLU also took the #3 spot in our Best Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.

Full Saint Louis University Report

#11

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
19 Total Awards
$14,784 Average Tuition & Fees

Capella University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large private for-profit school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 19 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Capella University are $14,784 a year.

Since the graduate programs at Capella University are primarily online, it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on Capella University

19 Total Awards
$16,374 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the fairly large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UNOMAHA are $16,374 per year. By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,310 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that UNOMAHA does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Report

#13

Missouri State University - Springfield

Springfield, Missouri
3 Total Awards
$12,618 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their graduate certificate. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Missouri State are $12,618 per year.

Missouri State does have options available for those who want to take online graduate 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 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

24 Total Awards
$31,008 Average Tuition & Fees

Missouri University of Science and Technology came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized public school located in Rolla, Missouri that handed out 24 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $31,008 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Missouri University of Science and Technology does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 68% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Missouri University of Science and Technology also made our Best Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #2.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Report

#15

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
50 Total Awards
$28,550 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate computer science programs. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Mizzou graduate students pay an average of $28,550 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Mizzou. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 67% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Mizzou did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Report

#16

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
1 Total Awards
$25,007 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Kansas ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, the large public school handed out 1 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

KU graduate students pay an average of $25,007 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at KU. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
3 Total Awards
$29,262 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 3 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UMN Twin Cities are $29,262 per year. By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,400 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UMN Twin Cities. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#18

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
10 Total Awards
$26,948 Average Tuition & Fees

Iowa State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large public school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 10 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Iowa State are $26,948 a year.

One thing to take note of is that Iowa State does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 54% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Iowa State University Report

#19

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
7 Total Awards
$31,012 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, University of Iowa did quite well on this year’s best value schools for computer science students working on their graduate certificate. This large public school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 7 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Iowa graduate students pay an average of $31,012 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Iowa. During the 2019-2020 year, about 33% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Iowa Report

#20

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
28 Total Awards
$30,756 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large public school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 28 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

UMSL graduate students pay an average of $30,756 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that UMSL does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 71% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Report

#21

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
33 Total Awards
$58,288 Average Tuition & Fees

Washington University in St Louis ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 graduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at WUSTL are $58,288 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at WUSTL. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

WUSTL not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Full Washington University in St Louis Report

View Best Value Graduate Certificate Computer Science Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 21 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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