by our College Data Analytics Team
[Information Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/information-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 9 schools to find the best return on investment for information technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in information technology, no school beat Minneapolis Community And Technical College this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. Early-career information technology graduates make about $43,164. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Winona State University one of the best values for information technology. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capella University earned it the #3 place for information technology. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Students borrow a median of $37,539 to complete the information technology program here. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $97,688. That is a strong return on a $37,539 median debt.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for information technology graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $71,742. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Metropolitan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information technology schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,113 to complete the information technology program here. Early-career information technology graduates make about $59,158. Set against $26,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #6 spot for information technology value this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Information Technology graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information technology degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $99,071. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.