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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Information Technology Schools in Illinois

9 Colleges in the United States
$20,459 Avg Student Debt
$54,114 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Information Technology Badge [Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/information-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for information technology students.

What’s on this page:

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DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Information Technologies - Cybersecurity" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Information Technologies - Data Analytics" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Information Technologies - Project Management" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Information Technology Management" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA in Information Technology Management" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Information Technology - Database Design" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Information Technology - Healthcare Informatics" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Information Technology - Information Security" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Information Technology - Information Security" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Information Technology - Software Application Development" with relevance 0.7
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2026 Best Value Information Technology Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the information technology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Information Technology Schools

1
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

Carl Sandburg College earned the #1 spot for value among information technology schools in Illinois. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.

3

College Of Lake County came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Illinois College earned it the #4 place for information technology. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.

5

Black Hawk College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $11,340. Early-career information technology graduates make about $44,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University landed the #6 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $19,400 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $48,567. That is a strong return on a $19,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

7

Western Illinois University landed the #7 spot for information technology value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $62,578. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

8

Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $72,505. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

9
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Information Technology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #10 for value in information technology this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $29,553 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $46,254. Set against $29,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Illinois State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $22,250. Information Technology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $65,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for value in information technology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,644. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

13
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #13 spot for information technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

14
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #14 among the best values for information technology. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,321 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $58,220. That is a strong return on a $24,321 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

15

Devry University Illinois came in at #15 for value in information technology this year. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $17,008. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $29,500. Information Technology graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $55,470 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

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16

Loyola University Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $22,701. Early-career information technology graduates make about $68,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.

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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 · 38 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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