[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 102 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer & information sciences schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Moraine Valley Community College the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in Illinois. 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 computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,604. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned it the #3 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,093. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $34,691. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #4. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #5 place for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #6 among the best values for computer & information sciences. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $33,326. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #7 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,032 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,016. Set against $8,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #9 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College earned the #10 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #11 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College placed #12 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College came in at #13 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Shawnee Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $39,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Oakton Community College earned the #15 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $7,750. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
College Of Lake County ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #17 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Illinois College earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Median earnings reach $33,763 ten years out.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College landed the #20 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College came in at #21 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College earned the #22 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,388. Computer & Information Sciences 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 landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Black Hawk College earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer & information sciences this year:
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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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
