2023 Best Value Computer Science 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.
The Best Value Computer Science 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 80 schools in the Plains States Region to see which 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 Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Metropolitan Community College to be the best value school for computer science students in the Plains States Region . MCC is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 134 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,680 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,886 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,258 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, MCC is ranked #4 for overall quality in the Plains States Region .
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend North Hennepin Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 153 degrees 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,533 in student loans.After graduating from North Hennepin Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,370 during the early years of their career.
North Hennepin Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.
The excellent 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 Plains States Region . Ottumwa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IHCC are $6,000 a year. On average, students take out $17,709 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, IHCC graduates make an average of $43,385 annually.
IHCC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.
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 Schools in the Plains States Region list. Alexandria, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ATCC are $5,910 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,948 in student loans.After graduating from ATCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,141 during the early years of their career.
ATCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Read full report on Alexandria Technical & Community College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Grand Island, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school awarded 99 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,590 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Central Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,791 during the early years of their career.
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Lake Area Technical Institute is a small public school located in Watertown, South Dakota that handed out 31 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LATI are $6,718 a year. On average, students take out $16,395 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $115. During the early years of their career, LATI graduates make an average of $36,525 annually.
LATI also made our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #2.
St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #7 on the list. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 degrees 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. On average, students take out $18,381 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, St Cloud Technical and Community College graduates make an average of $40,365 annually.
St Cloud Technical and Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College
Normandale Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Bloomington, Minnesota that handed out 55 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Normandale Community College are $5,789 per year. On average, students take out $20,674 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Normandale Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,929 during the early years of their career.
Normandale Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus are $5,515 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,645 in student loans.After graduating from Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,464 during the early years of their career.
Johnson County Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. JCCC is a public institution located in Overland Park, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 115 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 per year. On average, students take out $16,311 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from JCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,711 during the early years of their career.
Northeast Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Norfolk, Nebraska, and it awarded 59 degrees in 2020-2021.
Northeast undergraduate students pay an average of $5,010 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $13,035 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Northeast, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,151 during the early years of their career.
Dakota County Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #12 on the list. Rosemount, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DCTC are $6,208 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,397 in student loans.After graduating from DCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,125 during the early years of their career.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small public school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 97 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,741 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,708 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Hennepin Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,797 during the early year of their career.
Southeast Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Southeast Tech is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southeast Tech are $7,650 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,379 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Southeast Tech graduates make an average of $39,912 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Southeast Tech also is in the top 20% of our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Bellevue University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #15 on the list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it awarded 626 degrees in 2020-2021.
Bellevue University undergraduate students pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,741 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Bellevue University graduates make an average of $54,053 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, Bellevue University is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #16 on the list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 239 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Minneapolis Community and Technical College are $5,906 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $25,516 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,845 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Ozarks Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #17 on the list. OTC is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 102 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OTC are $6,028 a year. On average, students take out $18,769 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, OTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,979 during the early year of their career.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. This large public school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 152 degrees in 2020-2021.
DMACC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,440 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $16,577 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $64, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DMACC graduates make an average of $37,576 annually.
DMACC also claimed a spot on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Iowa Central Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa that handed out 24 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Iowa Central Community College are $8,650 per year. On average, students take out $19,575 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $62 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa Central Community College graduates make an average of $39,705 annually.
Saint Paul College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Paul College is a public institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 59 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Saint Paul College are $6,041 per year. On average, students take out $20,623 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Saint Paul College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,206 during the early years of their career.
Kirkwood Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #21 on the list. Kirkwood Community College is a public institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 134 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kirkwood Community College are $7,072 per year. On average, students take out $19,882 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Kirkwood Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,090 during the early years of their career.
Park University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 249 degrees in 2020-2021.
Park University undergraduate students pay an average of $8,853 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $24,858 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Park University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,849 during the early year of their career.
Wayne State College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Wayne State College is a small public school located in Wayne, Nebraska that handed out 26 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WSC are $7,458 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,937 in student loans.After graduating from WSC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,000 during the early years of their career.
Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #24 on the list. Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Maryville, Missouri. It awarded 190 degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwest undergraduate students pay an average of $14,919 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $23,189 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $200, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Northwest graduates make an average of $37,439 annually.
Grantham University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 178 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Grantham University are $8,280 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,781 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Grantham University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,745 during the early year of their career.
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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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