[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for information science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Lake Land College earned the #1 spot for value among information science schools in Illinois. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #2 place for information science. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Information Science graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $33,326. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Shawnee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $11,162. Information Science graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $39,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at Oakton Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $14,538 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,651. That is a strong return on a $14,538 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in information science this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $44,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University landed the #7 spot for information science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,735. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College placed #8 among the best values for information science. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University earned the #9 position for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,950. Early-career information science graduates make about $58,014. That is a strong return on a $24,950 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #10 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University placed #11 among the best values for information science. 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. Information Science graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $75,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
