[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 13 schools to find the best return on investment for information technology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the information technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools in Iowa. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the information technology program here. Information Technology graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $23,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $41,575. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Iowa Community College District one of the best values for information technology. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in information technology will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $17,694. Early-career information technology graduates make about $66,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa Western Community College earned it the #5 place for information technology. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $15,153. Early-career information technology graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
More Information Technology Rankings
View All Information Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
