Smaller midwestern companies try to develop the skills of their staffs and improve the software-development process to a larger degree than their east coast compatriots do. However, the margin for error is narrower in the Midwest, since their economic pool is smaller. This makes them ruthless at meeting project expectations on time and on budget. All the personal stuff is out the window if you can't carry your weight and produce. Compensation includes those previously mentioned for east coast companies.
Many companies also offer educational incentives for study in related fields.
The pressure to produce software products is so immense that it distorts all considerations. Hiring here is usually done based on specific skills. A person's ability to fit into a corporate culture is far less important. To be sure, there is a culture at most companies, but the three-month product life cycle takes precedence. The Valley hires mainly from those already in the Valley or from recent college graduates.