2026 Best Value Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-systems-networking/internet-technology/) 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 115 schools to find the best return on investment for computer systems networking and telecommunications students.
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2026 Best Value Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer systems networking and telecommunications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Schools
For return on investment in computer systems networking and telecommunications, no school beat Moraine Valley Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking and telecommunications 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 Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for computer systems networking and telecommunications. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates carry a median of $12,464 in student loans. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #3 place for computer systems networking and telecommunications. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates is $16,700. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #4 place for computer systems networking and telecommunications. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer systems networking and telecommunications schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking and telecommunications degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $34,691. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #6 for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Sinclair Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer systems networking and telecommunications schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates carry a median of $17,816 in student loans. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $45,772 early in their careers. Set against $17,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College landed the #8 spot for computer systems networking and telecommunications value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates is $11,995. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #9 for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $43,025. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer systems networking and telecommunications schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking and telecommunications degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Southeastern Illinois College placed #11 among the best values for computer systems networking and telecommunications. Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Harrisburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.
College Of Lake County earned the #12 position for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking and telecommunications degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District landed the #13 spot for computer systems networking and telecommunications value this year. Wayne County Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Typical student debt for computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates is $20,820. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $48,892. That is a strong return on a $20,820 median debt.
Mott Community College earned the #14 position for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $37,989. Set against $20,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #15 for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer systems networking and telecommunications schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates is $17,349. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College earned the #17 position for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking and telecommunications degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #18 position for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Jackson Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer systems networking and telecommunications schools. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #20 spot for computer systems networking and telecommunications value this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates is $16,595. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $46,398. That is a strong return on a $16,595 median debt.
Edison State Community College came in at #21 for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications graduates carry a median of $15,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking and telecommunications degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $43,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Technical College came in at #22 for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking and telecommunications degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $41,942. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer systems networking and telecommunications schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Students borrow a median of $22,944 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $43,276. That is a strong return on a $22,944 median debt.
Moraine Park Technical College earned the #24 position for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Typical student debt for computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates is $11,471. Early-career computer systems networking and telecommunications graduates make about $39,552. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #25 position for value in computer systems networking and telecommunications this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the computer systems networking and telecommunications program here. Soon after graduation, computer systems networking and telecommunications degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer systems networking and telecommunications:
Narrow Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Schools by State
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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 · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
