Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mt San Antonio College tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,384. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Grossmont College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Reedley College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Folsom Lake College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Chabot College earned the #6 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #8 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College came in at #10 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Porterville College placed #12 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Porterville College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Porterville. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.
Cosumnes River College earned the #13 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #14 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College placed #15 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Miracosta College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Leeward Community College placed #17 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pearl City. Students from in state pay about $3,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,776 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $21,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Contra Costa College placed #18 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of San Pablo, Contra Costa College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,602. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $65,024. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt Hood Community College landed the #19 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $9,819. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,767 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $53,948. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.
Cerro Coso Community College earned the #20 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Cerro Coso Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Ridgecrest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,384, with out-of-state students paying around $11,254. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,963 ten years after entry.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #21 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #22 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,277. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $98,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca landed the #23 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public school located in the city of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,191, with out-of-state students paying around $10,935. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,540 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,800 median debt.
Chemeketa Community College landed the #24 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,345, compared with $14,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Chemeketa Community College earn a median of $45,440 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #25 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,277. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $98,235. Set against $16,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general computer & information sciences value ranking:
Narrow General Computer & Information Sciences Schools by State
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 · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
