Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer information systems, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Carl Sandburg College, our #1 best value for computer information systems in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $8,604. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $48,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #2 spot this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Oakland Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Prairie State College placed #6 among the best values for computer information systems. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #7 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $10,388. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #8 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,226 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,869. Set against $12,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #9 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $39,106. Set against $19,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College placed #10 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the computer information systems program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College came in at #11 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #12 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $77,273 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hawk College placed #13 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $44,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Kokomo placed #14 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $43,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #15 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $61,699. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #16 position for value in computer information systems this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,485. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Governors State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,400 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $48,567. Set against $19,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in computer information systems this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $19,985. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $72,132. Set against $19,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #20 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,780 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $69,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Vincennes University placed #21 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $45,976. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #22 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $113,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Western Illinois University came in at #24 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $62,578. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #25 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $72,505. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer information systems this year:
Narrow Computer Information Systems Schools by State
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 · 207 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer information systems education at a price that pays off.
