[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for computer information systems students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer information systems degrees they offer, see the list below.
Carl Sandburg College earned the #1 spot for value among computer information systems schools in Illinois. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $48,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 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. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Illinois College earned it the #4 place for computer information systems. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes National Louis University one of the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $53,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Governors State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $19,400. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $48,567. Set against $19,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $113,503. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $25,250. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $62,578. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #9 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $15,854. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #10 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $72,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $29,553 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,254 early in their careers. Set against $29,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Lewis University earned the #12 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,838. Computer Information Systems graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #13 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $23,966 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $55,844. Set against $23,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,750. Computer Information Systems graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #15 spot for computer information systems value this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $58,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Judson University came in at #16 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,297. Students borrow a median of $27,685 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Judson University earn a median of $47,550 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,685 median debt. Judson University admits about 48% of applicants.
Illinois State University placed #17 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $22,250. Computer Information Systems graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $65,127 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
East West University came in at #18 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Chicago, East West University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,395. Computer Information Systems graduates of East West University earn a median of $34,711 early in their careers.
Northwestern University landed the #19 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Devry University Illinois landed the #20 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Devry University Illinois generally make around $55,470. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Depaul University earned the #21 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,321. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $58,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago placed #22 among the best values for computer information systems. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $22,701. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $68,950. Set against $22,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
