2026 Best Value System, Networking LAN/WAN Management/Manager Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[System, Networking LAN/WAN Management/Manager](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-technology/system-networking-and-lan-wan-management-manager/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for system, networking lan/wan management/manager students.
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2026 Best Value System, Networking LAN/WAN Management/Manager Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in system, networking lan/wan management/manager, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value System, Networking LAN/WAN Management/Manager Schools
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for system, networking lan/wan management/manager in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the system, networking lan/wan management/manager program here. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes North Central State College one of the best values for system, networking lan/wan management/manager. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Typical student debt for system, networking lan/wan management/manager graduates is $12,236. Soon after graduation, system, networking lan/wan management/manager degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in system, networking lan/wan management/manager, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the system, networking lan/wan management/manager program here. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #4 place for system, networking lan/wan management/manager. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career system, networking lan/wan management/manager graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Monroe County Community College one of the best values for system, networking lan/wan management/manager. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,759, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,031 to complete the system, networking lan/wan management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, system, networking lan/wan management/manager degree recipients from Monroe County Community College generally make around $47,729. That is a strong return on a $16,031 median debt.
Prairie State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value system, networking lan/wan management/manager schools. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the system, networking lan/wan management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, system, networking lan/wan management/manager degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #7 for value in system, networking lan/wan management/manager this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $7,938 to complete the system, networking lan/wan management/manager program here. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value system, networking lan/wan management/manager schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #9 position for value in system, networking lan/wan management/manager this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the system, networking lan/wan management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, system, networking lan/wan management/manager degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Gateway Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value system, networking lan/wan management/manager schools. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,225, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates carry a median of $10,642 in student loans. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College earn a median of $37,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,642 median debt.
Edison State Community College landed the #11 spot for system, networking lan/wan management/manager value this year. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates carry a median of $15,406 in student loans. Early-career system, networking lan/wan management/manager graduates make about $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global earned the #12 position for value in system, networking lan/wan management/manager this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates carry a median of $39,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, system, networking lan/wan management/manager degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $64,002. That is a strong return on a $39,052 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value system, networking lan/wan management/manager schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for system, networking lan/wan management/manager graduates is $29,484. Soon after graduation, system, networking lan/wan management/manager degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $44,212. That is a strong return on a $29,484 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value system, networking lan/wan management/manager schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Mycomputercareeredu Columbus landed the #15 spot for system, networking lan/wan management/manager value this year. Mycomputercareeredu Columbus is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the system, networking lan/wan management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, system, networking lan/wan management/manager degree recipients from Mycomputercareeredu Columbus generally make around $46,099. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt.
Mycomputercareeredu Indianapolis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value system, networking lan/wan management/manager schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Mycomputercareeredu Indianapolis is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for system, networking lan/wan management/manager graduates is $9,500. System, Networking Lan/wan Management/manager graduates of Mycomputercareeredu Indianapolis earn a median of $37,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.