Strategies In Computing Determinant?

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Especially when solving for eigenvalues, since reducing to RREF is out of the question, are there any other strategies to compute the determinant quickly and more efficiently other than through cofactor (for example), multiplying/foiling/reducing all terms as best as I can, then solving for a quadratic/cubic (etc)? Not that this method doesn't work, it's just incredibly tedious and a time killer when I'm in a crunch. Any help is appreciated.