[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 121 schools to build this 2026 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.
Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $8,604. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at College Of Lake County, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Cincinnati Clermont College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $39,106. That is a strong return on a $19,525 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,226 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $38,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $77,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Columbus State Community College landed the #8 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,985 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,985 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Lakeland Community College came in at #11 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $19,857. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $20,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $113,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #13 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $62,578. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $26,500. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $66,537. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #15 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $47,577. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Wayne State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,672 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $77,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,672 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University earned the #17 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $65,597. Set against $27,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #18 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $55,844. That is a strong return on a $23,966 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #19 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $44,293. Set against $23,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Global came in at #20 for value in general computer & information sciences 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. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $54,293. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $73,055. Set against $54,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #21 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #22 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $68,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,500. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $80,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #24 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $31,000. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,025. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #25 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,742 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $52,995. That is a strong return on a $25,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general computer & information sciences:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
