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2023 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

38 Ranked Colleges
4,073 Degrees Awarded
$10,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 38 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in computer science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality computer science programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the computer science program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 280 students in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington University in St Louis is $2,446 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Computer Science at Washington University in St Louis

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 645 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,609 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%.

Read full report on Computer Science at UMN Twin Cities

3
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #3 spot on the list. Carleton College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 54 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

Carleton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,410 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Carleton College.

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 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Carleton College Computer Science Report

4

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #4 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 $2,230 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Minnesota - Morris

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $11,427 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Iowa State University

6

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $8,697 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 University of Minnesota - Duluth Computer Science Report

7
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #7, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 77 degrees to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.

UMSL also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $8,324 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMSL.

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%.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Missouri - St Louis

8
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. 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 estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $11,138 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Computer Science at St. Olaf

9
Normandale Community College crest
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota

Normandale Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Bloomington, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.

Normandale Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,521 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Normandale Community College.

Full Normandale Community College Computer Science Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 98 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $11,294 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha

11
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

With a ranking of #11, Grinnell College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Grinnell, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 54 degrees to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Grinnell has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grinnell College is $13,671 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Grinnell College Computer Science Report

12

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 $30-$48k ranking. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 106 students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,735 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 North Dakota State University - Main Campus

13
LATI crest
Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, South Dakota

Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Watertown, South Dakota, and it awarded 31 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

LATI also took the #21 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Area Technical Institute is $10,622 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Computer Science at LATI

14
North Hennepin Community College crest
North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend North Hennepin Community College is $8,926 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full North Hennepin Community College Computer Science Report

15
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 114 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #6 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,508 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Iowa

16
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 379 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

UCM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,120 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCM.

Read full report on Computer Science at UCM

17

With a ranking of #17, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 94 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,608 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

Read full report on Computer Science at Northwest Missouri State University

18
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

St. Cloud State University also took the #24 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,825 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 St. Cloud State University

19

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 219 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $13,751 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Missouri - Kansas City

20

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 131 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Missouri State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $13,144 for Plains States Region CompSci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Missouri State

21
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #21, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 48 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $13,175 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Computer Science Report

22
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus crest
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Anoka-Ramsey Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a medium-sized school located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota that handed out 22 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,170 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus Computer Science Report

23
Missouri Western crest
Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, Missouri

Missouri Western State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri Western is a small school located in Saint Joseph, Missouri that handed out 13 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Western State University is $9,372 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Missouri Western State University Computer Science Report

24
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Winona State has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,963 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Winona State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Winona State University

25

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $14,194 for plains states region compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

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