2023 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
39
Ranked Colleges
4,073
Degrees Awarded
$10,300
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Computer Science is the 12th most popular major in the country with 59,565 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, computer science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $67,538 and had an average of $23,620 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 4,073 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $62,748 and $24,705 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 39 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in computer science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great computer science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Computer Science Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 280 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WUSTL is $1,556 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full WUSTL Computer Science Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 645 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $7,698 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Computer Science at UMN Twin Cities
Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #3 spot on the list. Carleton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Carleton also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $6,208 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carleton.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Computer Science at Carleton College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 142 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Computer Science at Iowa State
Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Morris, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,941 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Morris.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UMN Morris Computer Science Report
University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UMN Duluth Computer Science Report
Grinnell College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grinnell College is a small school located in Grinnell, Iowa that handed out 54 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grinnell, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grinnell is $12,835 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Grinnell College Computer Science Report
University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
UMSL also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $9,991 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Missouri - St Louis Computer Science Report
University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 114 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Iowa.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at University of Iowa
University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 98 degrees to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,578 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha
With a ranking of #11, St Olaf College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $11,112 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Computer Science at St Olaf College
North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 106 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $11,835 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full North Dakota State University Computer Science Report
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, this small public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
LATI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend LATI is $9,646 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Computer Science at LATI
Normandale Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Normandale Community College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Normandale Community College is $9,261 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Computer Science at Normandale Community College
University of Central Missouri ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 379 students in 2020-2021.
UCM also took the #16 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $11,006 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Computer Science at University of Central Missouri
With a ranking of #16, North Hennepin Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for North Hennepin Community College is $8,626 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full North Hennepin Community College Computer Science Report
Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 131 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,381 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at Missouri State
University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 219 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
UMKC also took the #19 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,724 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UMKC Computer Science Report
With a ranking of #19, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Science at St. Cloud State University
Maharishi International University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Maharishi International University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fairfield, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 294 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
MIU also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for MIU is $12,179 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Computer Science at Maharishi International University
University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 48 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,513 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at University of Northern Iowa
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 94 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $9,906 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Computer Science at Northwest Missouri State University
Winona State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
Winona State also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $11,721 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Winona State University Computer Science Report
Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a public institution located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is $9,815 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Computer Science at Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decorah, Iowa. It awarded 16 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
Luther did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Luther is $21,838 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Science at Luther
