[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/information-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for information technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Carl Sandburg College the best value for a degree in information technology in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for information technology. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #4 place for information technology. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $9,785. Early-career information technology graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College came in at #6 for value in information technology this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #7 for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,226 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $38,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #8 for value in information technology this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $10,388. Early-career information technology graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College placed #9 among the best values for information technology. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $11,340. Early-career information technology graduates make about $44,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #10 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $19,525. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #11 position for value in information technology this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $18,700. Information Technology graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $61,699 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Governors State University placed #12 among the best values for information technology. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $19,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $48,567. That is a strong return on a $19,400 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #13 position for value in information technology this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $24,485. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #15 for value in information technology this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $77,273 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Vincennes University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #17 among the best values for information technology. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $25,780. Early-career information technology graduates make about $69,632. Set against $25,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Western Illinois University landed the #18 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $62,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for information technology. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,985 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $72,132. That is a strong return on a $19,985 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #20 for value in information technology this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $72,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Ferris State University earned the #21 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $27,813. Early-career information technology graduates make about $65,597. That is a strong return on a $27,813 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Indiana State University earned the #22 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $23,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $44,293. Set against $23,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Oakland University landed the #23 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $66,537. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Purdue University Global landed the #24 spot for information technology value this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $54,293. Early-career information technology graduates make about $73,055. That is a strong return on a $54,293 median debt.
Youngstown State University earned the #25 position for value in information technology this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $39,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for information technology this year:
Narrow Information Technology Schools by State
More Information Technology Rankings
View All Information Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
