[Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-systems-analysis/information-systems/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for information systems students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the information systems degrees they offer, see the list below.
Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value information systems schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the information systems program here. Information Systems graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information systems, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Information Systems graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Information Systems graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $97,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for information systems. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information systems degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in information systems will find it at Southern State Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,912, compared with $10,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,282 to complete the information systems program here. Early-career information systems graduates make about $45,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information systems schools. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for information systems graduates is $28,091. Soon after graduation, information systems degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $54,219. Set against $28,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #6 position for value in information systems this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for information systems graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, information systems degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value information systems schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the information systems program here. Soon after graduation, information systems degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #8 for value in information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career information systems graduates make about $55,790. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Devry University Illinois ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value information systems schools. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Students borrow a median of $46,000 to complete the information systems program here. Soon after graduation, information systems degree recipients from Devry University Illinois generally make around $51,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Devry University Illinois admits about 98% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
