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DEBUG: Checking offer "Software Development & Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Software Development & Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Software Development & Engineering (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Software Development & Engineering (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Software Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Software Engineering (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Computer Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Computer Science (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
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2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in software engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Software Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Cloud State University the best value for a degree in software engineering in the The Plains States Region. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $77,792. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for software engineering. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $66,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,511 in student loans. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $76,558. That is a strong return on a $21,511 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $106,498 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $20,240. Software Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $82,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,240 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
ADBLOCK #101
Iowa State University earned the #6 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Software Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,337 in student loans. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $79,182. Set against $24,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota landed the #7 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $48,263. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Drury University landed the #8 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,745. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,641. Software Engineering graduates of Drury University earn a median of $37,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Software Engineering Schools by State
[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
