2027 Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Network & System Administration/Administrator](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-technology/network-and-system-administration-administrator/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong network & system administration/administrator education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for network & system administration/administrator students.
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2027 Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in network & system administration/administrator, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for network & system administration/administrator in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in network & system administration/administrator, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $8,099. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Spoon River College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $15,525. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in network & system administration/administrator will find it at Schoolcraft College, which ranked #5. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #6 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #7 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $20,167. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $42,452. That is a strong return on a $20,167 median debt.
Prairie State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage placed #9 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $7,938 in student loans. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,938 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #10 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Belmont College landed the #11 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Belmont College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of St Clairsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $7,200. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $20,524 in student loans. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Belmont College generally make around $58,414. Set against $20,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College placed #12 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $19,857. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $51,941. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College placed #13 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nicolet Area Technical College landed the #14 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rhinelander. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,793, with out-of-state students paying around $7,066. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $46,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College placed #15 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,227 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $41,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #16 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #17 position for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $42,296. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College placed #18 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $10,388. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $46,355 early in their careers. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #19 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $8,705. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $45,077. That is a strong return on a $8,705 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #20 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National Louis University landed the #21 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University came in at #22 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $27,000. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $77,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #23 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $14,528 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $44,279. Set against $14,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ball State University placed #24 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $24,518. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest State Community College landed the #25 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Archbold. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $9,170. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $11,565. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $45,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s network & system administration/administrator value ranking:
Narrow Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
