2027 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in Illinois

[Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer programming education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for computer programming students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer programming degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Programming Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among computer programming schools in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, computer programming degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $11,149. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for computer programming. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer programming will find it at Mchenry County College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Parkland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer programming, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $40,409. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College placed #6 among the best values for computer programming. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. 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. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value computer programming schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $105,265. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Central College placed #8 among the best values for computer programming. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the computer programming program here. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $53,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Depaul University earned the #9 position for value in computer programming this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for computer programming graduates is $25,497. Early-career computer programming graduates make about $83,432. Set against $25,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% 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 · 9 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.