[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/information-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 783 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $11,691. Early-career information technology graduates make about $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $45,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in information technology will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $15,525. Information Technology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for information technology. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $16,119 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $69,878. That is a strong return on a $16,119 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,337 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $76,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for information technology. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $21,261. Early-career information technology graduates make about $63,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #7 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $16,277 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $123,084. That is a strong return on a $16,277 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of West Florida placed #8 among the best values for information technology. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $19,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $87,236. That is a strong return on a $19,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Florida International University earned the #9 position for value in information technology this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $19,999 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $80,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego landed the #10 spot for information technology value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $146,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #11 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #12 for value in information technology this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Governors University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,167 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $84,242. Set against $23,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #14 position for value in information technology this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Florida State University earned the #15 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $81,834 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #16 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $72,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $61,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #18 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $21,125. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #19 spot for information technology value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $77,273 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #20 spot for information technology value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,277 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,277 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #21 position for value in information technology this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $25,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $84,699. Set against $25,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #22 among the best values for information technology. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $22,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $72,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #23 spot for information technology value this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $25,943. Information Technology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #24 for value in information technology this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $23,250. Information Technology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $73,311 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #25 for value in information technology this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. 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.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s information technology value ranking:
Explore the best-value information technology schools at other degree levels:
View All Information Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 79 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.
