[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/information-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information technology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for information technology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the information technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #1 spot for value among information technology schools in North Carolina. 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. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for information technology. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $10,456 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,854 early in their careers. Set against $10,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in information technology will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in information technology will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #4. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $32,154. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland Community College earned it the #5 place for information technology. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $7,131. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College earned the #7 position for value in information technology this year. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $50,048. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Johnston Community College earned the #8 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College came in at #9 for value in information technology this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Wayne Community College came in at #10 for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Haywood Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Early-career information technology graduates make about $35,767.
South Piedmont Community College landed the #12 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of South Piedmont Community College earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #13 for value in information technology this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Craven Community College placed #14 among the best values for information technology. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Halifax Community College placed #15 among the best values for information technology. Located in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,608, while out-of-state students pay about $8,752. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Halifax Community College generally make around $70,982.
Nash Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $16,969. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville placed #17 among the best values for information technology. Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public school located in the rural area of Whiteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,600, with out-of-state students paying around $8,744. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $10,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Southeastern Community College Whiteville generally make around $65,328. That is a strong return on a $10,188 median debt.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $8,609 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,853 early in their careers. Set against $8,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College landed the #19 spot for information technology value this year. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $9,537. Information Technology graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,537 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College placed #20 among the best values for information technology. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $43,272. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #21 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $13,708. Information Technology graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #22 for value in information technology this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $38,009. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College came in at #23 for value in information technology this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $38,736 early in their careers. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College placed #24 among the best values for information technology. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $12,388. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in information technology:
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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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
