2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA

Leading the list is Indian Hills Community College, our #1 best value for computer programming in the The Plains States Region. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $63,559. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #2 place for computer programming. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $12,606. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #3 place for computer programming. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,804. Set against $11,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for computer programming. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,964 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $37,074. That is a strong return on a $11,964 median debt.

6

North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, MN

North Hennepin Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $52,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College landed the #7 spot for computer programming value this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,737. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $39,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $52,059. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.

9

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College placed #9 among the best values for computer programming. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.

10

Dakota County Technical College
Rosemount, MN

Dakota County Technical College earned the #10 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $13,474 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $50,429 early in their careers. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

Missouri Southern State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $39,434. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

13

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Saint Paul, MN

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #13 spot for computer programming value this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $17,650. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best values for computer programming. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $55,069 early in their careers. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University came in at #15 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $57,162 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

16

Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College earned the #16 position for value in computer programming this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $13,532. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $46,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Linn State Technical College
Linn, MO

Linn State Technical College earned the #17 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $45,538. Set against $11,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Flint Hills Technical College
Emporia, KS

Flint Hills Technical College landed the #18 spot for computer programming value this year. Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $6,944 in tuition and fees. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $14,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Flint Hills Technical College generally make around $40,435. Set against $14,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Ranken Technical College
Saint Louis, MO

Ranken Technical College came in at #19 for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,008 in tuition and fees. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $13,325 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Ranken Technical College earn a median of $43,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,325 median debt.

20

Southeast Technical Institute
Sioux Falls, SD

Southeast Technical Institute earned the #20 position for value in computer programming this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,650. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $14,827. Computer Programming graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $53,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Maharishi University Of Management
Fairfield, IA

Maharishi University Of Management placed #21 among the best values for computer programming. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,530. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $73,644. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.

22

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University landed the #22 spot for computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $72,053. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #23 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $24,499. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $75,810. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

24

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #24 for value in computer programming this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $26,108. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $69,254. That is a strong return on a $26,108 median debt.

25

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #25 position for value in computer programming this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $65,183. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.