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

1

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Leading the list is Truman State University, our #1 best value for computer science in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,168. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

2

North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Hennepin Community College earned it the #2 place for computer science. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,751. Early-career computer science graduates make about $52,492. That is a strong return on a $15,751 median debt.

3

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Century College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Normandale Community College
Bloomington, MN

A rank of #4 makes Normandale Community College one of the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,708. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,595 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $73,971. Set against $21,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Minnesota Morris
Morris, MN

University Of Minnesota Morris placed #6 among the best values for computer science. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,993 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of $55,441 early in their careers. Set against $19,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

7

Anoka Ramsey Community College
Coon Rapids, MN

Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,682. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,593 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $44,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.

8

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #8 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,736 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $72,810. That is a strong return on a $24,736 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $26,375. Early-career computer science graduates make about $69,239. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

10

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

11

Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College landed the #11 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $16,375. Computer Science graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $84,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

12

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University earned the #12 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $41,107. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Rochester Community And Technical College
Rochester, MN

Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $47,439. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #14 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $82,861. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

15

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University placed #15 among the best values for computer science. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,728. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $64,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

16

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,016. Computer Science graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.

17

Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, SD

Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #17 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,718. Students borrow a median of $12,458 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $43,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,458 median debt.

18

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri landed the #18 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $67,040. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

19

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

20

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,360. Early-career computer science graduates make about $63,287. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.

21

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $65,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

22

Butler Community College
El Dorado, KS

Butler Community College landed the #22 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $39,404. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,959 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,426 early in their careers. Set against $25,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

24

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University landed the #24 spot for computer science value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,663. Computer Science graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $78,517 early in their careers. Set against $24,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #25 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,000. Early-career computer science graduates make about $49,629. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.