[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer & information sciences students.
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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 Ivy Tech Community College the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in Indiana. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. 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.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,196. 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. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $19,985. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #4 place for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $54,293 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $73,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at University Of Southern Indiana, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $21,999. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame placed #6 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $96,517. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Butler University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. That is a strong return on a $25,351 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
