2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $89,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

2

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,327 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $79,022. That is a strong return on a $25,327 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in general computer engineering will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $124,649 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $103,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in general computer engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. 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 general computer engineering graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $71,148. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

6

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest came in at #6 for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $51,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.

7

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #7 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $71,986. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

8

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #8 among the best values for general computer engineering. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $78,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

9

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #9 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $71,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

11

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,320 to complete the general computer engineering program here. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $69,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,320 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

12

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #12 for value in general computer engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

13

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #13 for value in general computer engineering this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $27,000. General Computer Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $77,465 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

14

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,247 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $83,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

15

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $70,345. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

16

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #16 among the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $76,982. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

17

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #17 for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,547. General Computer Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $68,852 early in their careers. Set against $25,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

18

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #18 among the best values for general computer engineering. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,676 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $80,746. Set against $26,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

19

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo landed the #19 spot for general computer engineering value this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $68,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

20

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #20 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $83,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,999 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

21

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University came in at #21 for value in general computer engineering this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

22

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $26,500. General Computer Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $81,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

23

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

24

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in general computer engineering this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $67,949. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.

25

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University came in at #25 for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $75,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.