2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Leading the list is Henry Ford Community College, our #1 best value for computer science in the Great Lakes Region. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $18,876. Computer Science graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,087. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $89,963. That is a strong return on a $19,087 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $19,375. Early-career computer science graduates make about $94,786. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

5

Governors State University
University Park, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #5 place for computer science. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $52,115. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

6

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast placed #6 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,981. Early-career computer science graduates make about $72,634. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $67,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $135,600 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

9

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $30,301. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $85,117. Set against $30,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

10

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $46,902. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

11

Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University placed #11 among the best values for computer science. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $14,506. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest earned the #12 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $68,485. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #13 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,745 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $76,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

14

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University earned the #14 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

15

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University placed #15 among the best values for computer science. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

16

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #16 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $22,966. Computer Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $77,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,966 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

17

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #17 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,417 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $77,909. That is a strong return on a $20,417 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

18

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #18 for value in computer science this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $66,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

19

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University earned the #19 position for value in computer science this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

20

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #20 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $62,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.

21

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,375. Computer Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $61,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana placed #22 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $55,597. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $53,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

24

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,000. Early-career computer science graduates make about $74,745. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

25

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #25 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,324. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.