[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 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.
South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools in Texas. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #3 place for information technology. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for information technology. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #5 place for information technology. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #6 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College earned the #7 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $15,653. Information Technology graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
San Antonio College came in at #8 for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $11,839. Information Technology graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Midland College landed the #9 spot for information technology value this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $9,000. Early-career information technology graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College landed the #10 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $6,000. Early-career information technology graduates make about $41,354. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Central Texas College came in at #11 for value in information technology this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College landed the #12 spot for information technology value this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District came in at #13 for value in information technology this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #14 among the best values for information technology. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $14,694. Early-career information technology graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Paris Junior College earned the #15 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College earned the #16 position for value in information technology this year. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Weatherford College came in at #17 for value in information technology this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $10,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,099 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $48,208. That is a strong return on a $14,099 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #18 position for value in information technology this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $54,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System landed the #19 spot for information technology value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texarkana College landed the #20 spot for information technology value this year. Texarkana College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,476, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $11,686. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Texarkana College generally make around $33,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College landed the #21 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $36,509 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College placed #22 among the best values for information technology. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
University Of Houston earned the #23 position for value in information technology this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $95,306. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #24 spot for information technology value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #25 for value in information technology this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $24,759. Information Technology graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for information technology this year:
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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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
