[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer & information sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Carl Sandburg College, our #1 best value for general computer & information sciences in Illinois. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,785. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Southwestern Illinois College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $62,578. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,966. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $55,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $53,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Elmhurst College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
East West University earned the #9 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, East West University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,395. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,711.
Judson University came in at #10 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Judson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,297. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Judson University generally make around $47,550. That is a strong return on a $27,685 median debt. Judson University admits about 48% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #11 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,321 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $55,226. That is a strong return on a $24,321 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago placed #13 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $22,701 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $68,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
