[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/information-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 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.
For return on investment in information technology, no school beat Walters State Community College this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $10,210 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $36,266. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #2 place for information technology. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $44,224. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Tennessee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $11,406 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $33,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in information technology will find it at Columbia State Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Chattanooga State Community College one of the best values for information technology. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $16,484 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $41,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast State Community College earned the #6 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $6,404. Early-career information technology graduates make about $27,882. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Nashville State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $42,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roane State Community College landed the #8 spot for information technology value this year. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State Community College came in at #9 for value in information technology this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $8,742. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College generally make around $40,513. That is a strong return on a $8,742 median debt.
Jackson State Community College placed #10 among the best values for information technology. Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $8,553. Early-career information technology graduates make about $30,258. Set against $8,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Motlow State Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $6,470. Early-career information technology graduates make about $43,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Volunteer State Community College came in at #12 for value in information technology this year. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $35,042. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $84,311. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Memphis placed #14 among the best values for information technology. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $86,810. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro placed #15 among the best values for information technology. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro is a small public institution. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $10,723 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $37,744. That is a strong return on a $10,723 median debt.
Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #16 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $24,920 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $59,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #17 for value in information technology this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,669 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $52,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Austin Peay State University came in at #18 for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $30,736. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $58,060. Set against $30,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
South College placed #19 among the best values for information technology. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,535 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,533 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from South College generally make around $51,389. That is a strong return on a $24,533 median debt.
Strayer University Tennessee landed the #20 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Strayer University Tennessee is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $50,737 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $67,315. That is a strong return on a $50,737 median debt.
King College placed #21 among the best values for information technology. King College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bristol. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,397. Students borrow a median of $19,850 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from King College generally make around $49,926. Set against $19,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 29 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.
