2026 Best Value Computer Programming Schools in Illinois

[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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.