[Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-systems-analysis/information-systems/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information systems education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for information systems students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information systems, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in information systems, no school beat University Of Illinois At Springfield 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. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the information systems program here. Soon after graduation, information systems degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $97,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information systems, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Information Systems graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #3 place for information systems. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for information systems graduates is $15,854. Information Systems graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #4 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for information systems. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Devry University Illinois earned it the #5 place for information systems. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,008. Information Systems graduates carry a median of $46,000 in student loans. Information Systems graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $51,805 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $46,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
