[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for information technology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked John Tyler Community College the best value for a degree in information technology in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $40,984 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $12,448. Early-career information technology graduates make about $39,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in information technology will find it at Thomas Nelson Community College, which ranked #3. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $36,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in information technology will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $104,407. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Norfolk State University came in at #6 for value in information technology this year. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #7 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $17,783 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $17,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Strayer University Virginia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value information technology schools. Strayer University Virginia is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $50,737. Early-career information technology graduates make about $67,315. Set against $50,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Madison University landed the #9 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $21,470. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $81,761. That is a strong return on a $21,470 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #10 for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Marymount University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $27,000. Early-career information technology graduates make about $77,023. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
National College Salem came in at #12 for value in information technology this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, National College Salem is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,716. Students borrow a median of $27,930 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $27,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Liberty University earned the #13 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $28,068 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $70,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,068 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Richmond ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value information technology schools. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Students borrow a median of $23,381 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $76,763. Set against $23,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
