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2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in Illinois

2 Colleges in the United States
$12,751 Avg Student Debt
$48,900 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer Programming Badge [Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for computer programming students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer programming, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Computer Programming Schools

1

Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools in Illinois. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $33,073. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.

3
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Joliet Junior College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #6 position for value in computer programming this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,812 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,812 median debt.

7
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #7 spot for computer programming value this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Computer Programming graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.

9

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College earned the #10 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the computer programming program here. Computer Programming graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.

11

University Of Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $105,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

12

Olivet Nazarene University earned the #12 position for value in computer programming this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete the computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer programming schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $25,497. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $83,432. Set against $25,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 35 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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