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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Computer Information Systems Schools in the Great Lakes Region

65 Colleges in the United States
$23,440 Avg Student Debt
$56,683 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Computer Information Systems Badge [Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer information systems education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 207 schools to find the best return on investment for computer information systems students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Computer Information Systems Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer information systems, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Computer Information Systems Schools

1
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

Leading the list is Carl Sandburg College, our #1 best value for computer information systems in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $8,604. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $48,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #2 spot this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Macomb Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

College Of Lake County came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.

5
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.

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Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College placed #6 among the best values for computer information systems. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #7 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $10,388. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.

8
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #8 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,226 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,869. Set against $12,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #9 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $39,106. Set against $19,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Columbus State Community College placed #10 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the computer information systems program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Lakeland Community College came in at #11 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #12 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $77,273 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

13

Black Hawk College placed #13 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $44,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Indiana University Kokomo placed #14 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $43,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

Purdue University Northwest earned the #15 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $61,699. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

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16

University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #16 position for value in computer information systems this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,485. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

17
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,400 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $48,567. Set against $19,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

19
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in computer information systems this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $19,985. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $72,132. Set against $19,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

20

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #20 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,780 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $69,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

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21
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University placed #21 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $45,976. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.

22

Indiana University Southeast came in at #22 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $113,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

24

Western Illinois University came in at #24 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $62,578. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

25

Northern Illinois University came in at #25 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $72,505. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Information Systems Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for computer information systems this year:

26
27
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
28
29
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
30
31
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
32
33
34
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

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 · 207 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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