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2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Minnesota

19 Colleges in the United States
$23,460 Avg Student Debt
$58,388 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer Science Badge [Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Minnesota

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Computer Science Schools

1

North Hennepin Community College earned the #1 spot for value among computer science schools in Minnesota. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,751 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Century College, which ranked #2. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Morris one of the best values for computer science. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $55,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Normandale Community College earned it the #4 place for computer science. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $15,708. Early-career computer science graduates make about $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Anoka Ramsey Community College, which ranked #5. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,293. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.

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6

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #6 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, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. 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.

7

Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #7 for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $20,291. Computer Science graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $27,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.

9

Saint Cloud State University landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,360. Early-career computer science graduates make about $63,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,180 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $72,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.

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11

Bemidji State University landed the #11 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,819. Computer Science graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.

12

Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $50,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.

13

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #13 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

14

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #14 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,375. Early-career computer science graduates make about $73,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.

15

Winona State University earned the #15 position for value in computer science this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $65,817. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Metropolitan State University landed the #16 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Students borrow a median of $27,008 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $72,865. Set against $27,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

17

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #17 for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.

18
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College placed #18 among the best values for computer science. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,875. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $82,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.

19
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College landed the #19 spot for computer science value this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $45,452. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $63,065. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20

Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #20 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,505 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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21

Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #21 spot for computer science value this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

22

Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #22 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,396. That is a strong return on a $26,197 median debt. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.

23
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,816. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,384 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,384 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,233 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $88,132. Set against $18,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.

25

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #25 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $23,704. Early-career computer science graduates make about $73,301. Set against $23,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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