[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 177 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general computer & information sciences schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general computer & information sciences, no school beat Middlesex Community College Bedford this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,427. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leeward Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Leeward Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pearl City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,214, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,776 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Leeward Community College generally make around $21,784. Set against $10,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,514. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,195 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland came in at #6 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $10,928. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Tarrant County College District ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $37,808. Set against $13,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #8 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,461. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,198. Set against $15,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College landed the #9 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $10,999. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #10 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $21,375 early in their careers. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #11 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,340 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,719. Set against $14,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #12 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $26,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Carroll Community College earned the #13 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #14 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $12,525. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #15 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,188. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,156. Set against $9,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College earned the #16 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #17 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $7,368. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $26,025. That is a strong return on a $7,368 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #18 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $6,967. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $26,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College came in at #19 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $40,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University earned the #20 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,478. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District placed #21 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $49,032. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Tulsa Community College landed the #22 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,509 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $9,509 median debt.
Owensboro Community And Technical College placed #23 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Owensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,098 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College placed #24 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #25 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for general computer & information sciences this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Computer & Information Sciences rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 177 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 177 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
