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2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in Illinois

1 Colleges in the United States
$12,918 Avg Student Debt
$45,173 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Badge [General Computer Programming](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-programming/general-computer-programming/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general computer programming schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Computer Programming Schools in Illinois

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

Best Value General Computer Programming Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Moraine Valley Community College the best value for a degree in general computer programming in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College one of the best values for general computer programming. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large 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 $8,093 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.

3
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. General Computer Programming graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

4

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer programming schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. 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 general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for general computer programming. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $11,995. General Computer Programming graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #6 spot for general computer programming value this year. 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. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $10,963. General Computer Programming graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

7
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College landed the #7 spot for general computer programming value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for general computer programming graduates is $7,750. General Computer Programming graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Southwestern Illinois College earned the #8 position for value in general computer programming this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the general computer programming program here. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College placed #9 among the best values for general computer programming. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $40,409. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #10 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. General Computer Programming graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer programming degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

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Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #11 spot for general computer programming value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,497 to complete the general computer programming program here. Early-career general computer programming graduates make about $83,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 30 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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