2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Iowa
Looking for the best-value Computer Science degree programs in Iowa? Our ranking highlights 75 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Computer Science Degree evaluated 12 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Computer Science Degree Schools in Iowa
Explore the best-value schools below:
Indian Hills Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Computer Science degree schools in Iowa. Based in Ottumwa, IA, Indian Hills Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. The median Computer Science program debt is $15,390. Indian Hills Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,507 a decade after entry. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Indian Hills Community College
Request Information
Out of the 12 schools in Iowa in this year's value ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the #2 spot. Des Moines Area Community College is a public school based in Ankeny, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Des Moines Area Community College
Request Information
You'll get strong value at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Fort Dodge, IA. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete their Computer Science program here. Median earnings reach $42,046 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Iowa Central Community College
Request Information
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #4 place in Iowa. This public school is set in Cedar Rapids, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,016. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt. Read the full report on Kirkwood Community College
Request Information
A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the best values in Iowa. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Computer Science students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. More on Iowa State University
Request Information
University Of Iowa came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical Computer Science student debt is $24,463. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,762. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Iowa
Request Information
University Of Northern Iowa placed #7 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Iowa. Based in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. University Of Northern Iowa Computer Science students take on a median of $22,635 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,177 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Northern Iowa
Request Information
Simpson College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Indianola, IA, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. The median Computer Science program debt is $26,816. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Simpson College has an acceptance rate of 86%. Get the full Simpson College report
Request Information
Maharishi University Of Management landed the #9 spot for value in Iowa this year. Located in Fairfield, IA, Maharishi University Of Management is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $27,981. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants. Get the full Maharishi University Of Management report
Request Information
Luther College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Decorah, IA, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. The median Computer Science program debt is $26,967. Luther College alumni report median earnings of $59,850 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Luther College report
Request Information
Grand View University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Des Moines, IA, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Typical Computer Science student debt is $26,941. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,824. Set against $26,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Grand View University report
Request Information
University Of Dubuque placed #12 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dubuque, IA. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,190 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,204 median debt. University Of Dubuque has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read more about University Of Dubuque
Request InformationCapri College Cedar Rapids offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Get the full Capri College Cedar Rapids report
Request InformationLa James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Read more about La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology
Request InformationLa James International College Ft Dodge ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about La James International College Ft Dodge
Request Information
Pci Academy Ames
Pci Academy Ames landed the #16 spot for value in Iowa this year. Get the full Pci Academy Ames report
Request InformationIowa Lakes Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about Iowa Lakes Community College
Request InformationSoutheastern Community College West Burlington came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southeastern Community College West Burlington report
Request Information
Wartburg College
Wartburg College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. More on Wartburg College
Request InformationGraceland University Lamoni offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Read more about Graceland University Lamoni
Request InformationBuena Vista University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full Buena Vista University report
Request InformationNortheast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #22 spot for value in Iowa this year. Get the full Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar report
Request InformationThe Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about The Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls
Request InformationMorningside College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Morningside College report
Request InformationBriar Cliff University placed #25 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Iowa. See the full Briar Cliff University profile
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Best-Value Computer Science Degree Schools in Iowa
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Central College
Central College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. See the full Central College profile
Request InformationAmerican Hair Academy landed the #27 spot for value in Iowa this year. See the full American Hair Academy profile
Request InformationEastern Iowa Community College District landed the #28 spot for value in Iowa this year. Get the full Eastern Iowa Community College District report
Request InformationPalmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport placed #29 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Iowa. More on Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport
Request Information
St Lukes College
St Lukes College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. See the full St Lukes College profile
Request InformationPci Academy Iowa City offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Pci Academy Iowa City
Request InformationMarshalltown Community College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Marshalltown Community College
Request InformationFaust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake profile
Request InformationEllsworth Community College landed the #34 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read more about Ellsworth Community College
Request Information
Dordt College
Dordt College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Get the full Dordt College report
Request InformationDivine Word College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. More on Divine Word College
Request InformationIowa School Of Beauty Des Moines came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines report
Request InformationSaint Ambrose University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. More on Saint Ambrose University
Request InformationWestern Iowa Tech Community College placed #39 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Iowa. Get the full Western Iowa Tech Community College report
Request Information
Drake University
Drake University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Drake University profile
Request InformationLa James International College Johnston placed #41 among the best-value Computer Science schools in Iowa. Get the full La James International College Johnston report
Request InformationEmmaus Bible College landed the #42 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read more about Emmaus Bible College
Request Information
Coe College
Coe College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. More on Coe College
Request InformationHamilton Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. More on Hamilton Technical College
Request InformationIowa School Of Beauty Sioux City came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. See the full Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City profile
Request InformationBody Wisdom Massage Therapy School came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School profile
Request InformationE Q School Of Hair Design landed the #47 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read the full report on E Q School Of Hair Design
Request InformationDes Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center
Request InformationWilliam Penn University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. More on William Penn University
Request InformationMercy College Of Health Sciences offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Mercy College Of Health Sciences
Request InformationMore Computer Science Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Computer Science Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 12 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
ComputerScienceDegree.io provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© ComputerScienceDegree.io – All Rights Reserved.