2026 Best Value Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College tops our 2026 list of the best value information science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College one of the best values for information science. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley 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 $7,500 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $17,629 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $45,238 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,629 median debt.

4

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $12,791. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $50,732. Set against $12,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Shawnee Community College
Ullin, IL

Shawnee Community College placed #6 among the best values for information science. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $11,162. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.

7

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in information science this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #8 among the best values for information science. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $37,961. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.

9

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #9 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $101,914. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #10 position for value in information science 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. Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,538 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $58,651. Set against $14,538 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

11

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #11 for value in information science this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $81,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

12

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #12 for value in information science this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Information Science graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $54,278. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.

13

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

14

Zane State College
Zanesville, OH

Zane State College placed #14 among the best values for information science. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,668 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $29,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,778. Early-career information science graduates make about $44,923. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

16

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint landed the #16 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,875 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $44,184. That is a strong return on a $31,875 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

17

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University landed the #17 spot for information science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,735. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in information science this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,589 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $56,824. That is a strong return on a $17,589 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

19

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #19 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,477. Early-career information science graduates make about $41,041. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

21

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

22

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #22 for value in information science this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,518. Information Science graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $66,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

23

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,731 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $64,346 early in their careers. Set against $25,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

24

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #24 spot for information science value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $51,582. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

25

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #25 position for value in information science this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $66,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.