2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in Illinois
[Computer Software & Applications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-software-and-apps/) 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 41 schools to find the best return on investment for computer software & applications students.
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2026 Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer software & applications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Software & Applications Schools
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Prairie State College earned it the #2 place for computer software & applications. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $15,663. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #3 place for computer software & applications. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer software & applications will find it at College Of Dupage, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #6 spot for computer software & applications value this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Computer Software & Applications graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College placed #7 among the best values for computer software & applications. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Early-career computer software & applications graduates make about $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bradley University earned the #9 position for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Computer Software & Applications graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #10 for value in computer software & applications this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,249 to complete the computer software & applications program here. Soon after graduation, computer software & applications degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $84,986. Set against $23,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Devry University Illinois ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer software & applications schools. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer software & applications graduates is $33,791. Computer Software & Applications graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $32,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,791 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
More Computer Software & Applications Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
