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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Computer Information Systems Schools in Illinois

14 Colleges in the United States
$20,879 Avg Student Debt
$57,720 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer information systems schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Computer Information Systems Schools in Illinois

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 Illinois. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Lake County earned it the #2 place for computer information systems. 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. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $9,785. Computer Information Systems graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Prairie State College earned it the #3 place for computer information systems. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $15,663. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at Southwestern Illinois College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Black Hawk College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.

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

Governors State University earned the #6 position for value in computer information systems this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $19,400. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $48,567. Set against $19,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #7 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

8

Western Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $62,578. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

9

Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $25,209. Computer Information Systems graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $72,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #10 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $113,503. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

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11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #11 for value in computer information systems this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $23,966 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $55,844. That is a strong return on a $23,966 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

12

National Louis University placed #12 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $29,242. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $53,733. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

13
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University landed the #13 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #14 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $29,553 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $46,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Chicago placed #15 among the best values for computer information systems. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

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16

Illinois State University earned the #16 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

17

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,644. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

18
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

19

East West University earned the #19 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Chicago, East West University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,395. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $34,711.

20

Northwestern University landed the #20 spot for computer information systems value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

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21

Judson University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Judson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,297. Students borrow a median of $27,685 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Judson University earn a median of $47,550 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,685 median debt. Judson University admits about 48% of applicants.

22
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #22 among the best values for computer information systems. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,321. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $58,220. That is a strong return on a $24,321 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

23

Devry University Illinois landed the #23 spot for computer information systems value this year. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $55,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

24

Loyola University Chicago came in at #24 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $22,701. Computer Information Systems graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 60 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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