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2023 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

39 Ranked Colleges
4,073 Degrees Awarded
$15,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 39 colleges that offered a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 645 students 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 $17,878 for plains states region compsci students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Computer Science Report

2
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 77 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $12,232 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

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 UMSL

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Computer Science at Iowa State University

4
Normandale Community College crest
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Normandale Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Normandale Community College is located in Bloomington, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

Normandale Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $10,854 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

Read more about Computer Science at Normandale Community College

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 98 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region compsci students with aid 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 University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

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%.

Full UNOMAHA Computer Science Report

6
LATI crest
Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, South Dakota

Lake Area Technical Institute did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution located in Watertown, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

LATI also took the #21 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lake Area Technical Institute is $13,301 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid.

Read full report on Computer Science at LATI

7
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 114 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Computer Science at Iowa

8
North Hennepin Community College crest
North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. North Hennepin Community College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for North Hennepin Community College is $10,081 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid.

Full North Hennepin Community College Computer Science Report

9
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 379 ’s compsci degrees 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 University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

Read more about Computer Science at UCM

10

With a ranking of #10, Maharishi International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. MIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fairfield, Iowa. It awarded 294 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region compsci students with aid list, MIU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,052 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid per year to attend MIU.

Full Maharishi International University Computer Science Report

11

University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Minnesota - Morris is a small public school situated in Morris, Minnesota. It awarded 17 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Morris is $10,529 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at UMN Morris

12

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. North Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 106 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid.

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 full report on Computer Science at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

13
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University in St Louis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 280 degrees to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Washington University in St Louis is $26,921 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. 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.

Full Washington University in St Louis Computer Science Report

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 219 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMKC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,702 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid.

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

15
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #15, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Saint 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. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

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 full report on Computer Science at Saint Cloud State University

16

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 131 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Missouri State University - Springfield

17

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 92 ’s compsci degrees 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. It costs about $18,505 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Minnesota - Duluth

18

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $12,925 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Computer Science Report

19
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus crest
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus 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 $11,719 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid.

Read more about Computer Science at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus

20
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #20, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 83 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Metro State is $16,044 for Plains States Region CompSci students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Metro State

21
Missouri Western crest
Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, Missouri

With a ranking of #21, Missouri Western State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Missouri Western State University is a small school located in Saint Joseph, Missouri that handed out 13 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri Western is $10,897 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

Read more about Computer Science at Missouri Western State University

22
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 UNI Computer Science Report

23
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 56 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $17,634 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Winona State University

24

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 26 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,680 for plains states region compsci students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Computer Science Report

25
Grantham University crest
Grantham University
Lenexa, Kansas

Grantham University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Lenexa, Kansas, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 81 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Grantham University is $9,245 for plains states region compsci students with aid.

Read more about Computer Science at Grantham University

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