[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 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for information technology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the information technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Carl Sandburg College earned the #1 spot for value among information technology schools in Illinois. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the information technology program here. 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.
Prairie State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Illinois College earned it the #4 place for information technology. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Black Hawk College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. 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.
Governors State University landed the #6 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $19,400 to complete the information technology program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Western Illinois University landed the #7 spot for information technology value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $62,578. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Dominican University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #10 for value in information technology this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $29,553 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $46,254. Set against $29,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $22,250. Information Technology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $65,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,644. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Elmhurst College landed the #13 spot for information technology value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #14 among the best values for information technology. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,321 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $58,220. That is a strong return on a $24,321 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Devry University Illinois came in at #15 for value in information technology this year. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $17,008. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $29,500. Information Technology graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $55,470 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $22,701. Early-career information technology graduates make about $68,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
More Information Technology Rankings
View All Information Technology Rankings >
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
