by our College Data Analytics Team
[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for information technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in information technology, no school beat Germanna Community College this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $10,999. Early-career information technology graduates make about $41,880. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Virginia Community College one of the best values for information technology. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $11,344 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $44,805. That is a strong return on a $11,344 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tidewater Community College earned it the #4 place for information technology. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Students borrow a median of $14,001 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $35,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,001 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for information technology. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $65,838. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #6 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Students borrow a median of $25,514 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Radford University earn a median of $47,271 early in their careers. Set against $25,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Norfolk State University landed the #8 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Early-career information technology graduates make about $59,924. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ecpi University earned the #9 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,484. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $30,969 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Ecpi University earn a median of $53,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for information technology. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $156,433. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Marymount University landed the #11 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,120. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $26,880 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $95,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Randolph Macon College came in at #12 for value in information technology this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,466. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $26,432. Early-career information technology graduates make about $40,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Randolph Macon College admits about 87% of applicants.
Liberty University came in at #13 for value in information technology this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.