[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/information-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 783 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for information technology students.
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The right information technology school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Information Technology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in information technology, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $9,938 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,938 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for information technology. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $8,098. Early-career information technology graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #5 place for information technology. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $10,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College placed #6 among the best values for information technology. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #7 position for value in information technology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #8 for value in information technology this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $16,484 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $51,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #9 position for value in information technology this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $9,384. Early-career information technology graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #10 for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College earned the #11 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $8,604. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,340 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #14 spot for information technology value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $45,355. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #15 position for value in information technology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $49,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Fresno City College landed the #16 spot for information technology value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $7,234. Early-career information technology graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Chipola College landed the #17 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $9,097. Information Technology graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $32,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College placed #19 among the best values for information technology. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $6,500. Early-career information technology graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College landed the #20 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #21 among the best values for information technology. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #22 for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College earned the #23 position for value in information technology this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $9,509. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College landed the #24 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College placed #25 among the best values for information technology. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s information technology value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 783 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 241 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.
