[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 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general computer & information sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Dearborn, our #1 best value for general computer & information sciences in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $77,273. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #2 place for general computer & information sciences. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,813 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $65,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for general computer & information sciences. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Oakland University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $66,537. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #5 place for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $20,672. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $77,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #6 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $68,037. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #7 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $75,242. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Central Michigan University landed the #8 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $68,987. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $86,779. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University came in at #10 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,608. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #11 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $55,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kalamazoo College earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,900. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $26,118. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Kalamazoo College generally make around $72,008. Set against $26,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Michigan State University placed #13 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,022. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $103,513. Set against $24,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Hope College landed the #14 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $61,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
More General Computer & Information Sciences Rankings
View All General Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
