[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1032 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer & information sciences students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for general computer & information sciences in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $90,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $51,862. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,000. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $90,651. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,033 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $63,444 early in their careers. Set against $18,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes South Texas College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. 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, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,967 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,288. Set against $6,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $11,195 median debt.
Berea College landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $35,185. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #8 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,095 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $45,536 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College came in at #9 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $12,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $37,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,337 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $58,379. That is a strong return on a $18,337 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #11 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $62,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,999 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $62,562. Set against $19,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $21,261 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $63,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,261 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,277. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $73,385. Set against $16,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #15 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $55,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #16 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida landed the #18 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $45,733. That is a strong return on a $19,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,277 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $73,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #20 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #21 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,489 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $61,046 early in their careers. Set against $24,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $20,671. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $52,251. Set against $20,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #23 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,751 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $68,793. Set against $22,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Rice University landed the #24 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $12,381 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $131,154. That is a strong return on a $12,381 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #25 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $61,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general computer & information sciences value ranking:
Explore the best-value general computer & information sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All General Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 1032 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 249 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.
