[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for information science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Oakton Community College the best value for a degree in information science in Illinois. 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. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $7,750. Information Science graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #2 place for information science. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for information science. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $14,538. Information Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,651 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $51,753. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for information science. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $44,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #6 spot for information science value 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. Students borrow a median of $24,950 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $58,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College landed the #7 spot for information science value this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $22,400. Early-career information science graduates make about $51,232. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northwestern University placed #8 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $12,000. Early-career information science graduates make about $117,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,916 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $75,709. That is a strong return on a $25,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
