[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-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 63 schools to find the best return on investment for information technology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools in Illinois. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. 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 information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in information technology will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for information technology. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology 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.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $8,099. Information Technology graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Joliet Junior College came in at #6 for value in information technology this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College landed the #7 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Prairie State College earned the #8 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
College Of Dupage came in at #9 for value in information technology this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $7,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College placed #10 among the best values for information technology. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #11 position for value in information technology this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $48,264. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,478 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College generally make around $25,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College earned the #14 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
Spoon River College placed #15 among the best values for information technology. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #16 for value in information technology this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $10,388. Information Technology graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $46,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College placed #17 among the best values for information technology. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College landed the #18 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $40,409. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #19 position for value in information technology this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $21,677 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University came in at #20 for value in information technology this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $51,711. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
John A Logan College landed the #21 spot for information technology value this year. John A Logan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $10,479. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $40,806. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
Heartland Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Illinois University placed #23 among the best values for information technology. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Lewis University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $27,000. Information Technology graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $65,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #25 position for value in information technology this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s information technology value ranking:
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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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
