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2026 Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools in the Great Lakes Region

3 Colleges in the United States
$14,184 Avg Student Debt
$43,033 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Badge [Network & System Administration/Administrator](/majors/computer-information-sciences/it-information-technology/network-and-system-administration-administrator/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the network & system administration/administrator degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools

1

Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools in the Great Lakes Region. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator 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 Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in network & system administration/administrator, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $7,938. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $7,938 median debt.

4
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

A rank of #4 makes Prairie State College one of the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Kishwaukee College one of the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #6 for value in network & system administration/administrator 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. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Spoon River College landed the #7 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Located in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.

8

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #8 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $20,167. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $42,452. Set against $20,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Southwestern Illinois College placed #9 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $46,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College came in at #10 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $7,875. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College came in at #11 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $40,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #12 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $9,227. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $41,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,227 median debt.

13

Waukesha County Technical College earned the #13 position for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,450. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.

14

Nicolet Area Technical College came in at #14 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rhinelander. In-state tuition and fees average $4,793, compared with $7,066 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Nicolet Area Technical College earn a median of $46,419 early in their careers. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #15 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $18,296. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.

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16

Northcentral Technical College came in at #16 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $11,709. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $42,296. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.

17

Western Technical College La Cross placed #17 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Students borrow a median of $8,705 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $45,077. That is a strong return on a $8,705 median debt.

18

Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #18 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,225, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $10,642 in student loans. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College earn a median of $37,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Madison Area Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $14,528 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Michigan Technological University placed #20 among the best values for network & system administration/administrator. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $77,810. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Ball State University came in at #21 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the network & system administration/administrator program here. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northwest State Community College earned the #22 position for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Archbold. Students from in state pay about $4,698 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,170. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $11,565. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,565 median debt.

23

Herzing University Madison landed the #23 spot for network & system administration/administrator value this year. Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $41,837. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $57,229. That is a strong return on a $41,837 median debt. Herzing University Madison admits about 94% of applicants.

24

Warren County Career Center came in at #24 for value in network & system administration/administrator this year. Warren County Career Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Lebanon. Typical student debt for network & system administration/administrator graduates is $8,679. Soon after graduation, network & system administration/administrator degree recipients from Warren County Career Center generally make around $55,897. Set against $8,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Mycomputercareeredu Columbus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value network & system administration/administrator schools. Mycomputercareeredu Columbus is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Network & System Administration/administrator graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Early-career network & system administration/administrator graduates make about $46,099. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt.

Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Network & System Administration/Administrator Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for network & system administration/administrator this year:

26

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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 · 50 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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