
[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 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer & information sciences students.
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 Montgomery College, our #1 best value for general computer & information sciences in Maryland. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Frederick Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $10,778. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #3. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Maryland 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 La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,728 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $51,719. Set against $9,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Wor Wic Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,995. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $51,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hagerstown Community College came in at #6 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baltimore City Community College landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,202. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Baltimore City Community College earn a median of $51,023 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,202 median debt.
Harford Community College earned the #8 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $50,636. That is a strong return on a $12,624 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College earned the #9 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Howard Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,836. Students borrow a median of $18,115 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
University Of Maryland University College earned the #11 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $75,619 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #12 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $20,836. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Morgan State University earned the #13 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $66,950. Set against $30,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Anne Arundel Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,322, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.
Frostburg State University placed #15 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $42,798. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Salisbury University came in at #16 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,656. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $59,653. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #17 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $124,517. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University Maryland earned the #18 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Suitland, Strayer University Maryland is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $50,737 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Strayer University Maryland earn a median of $67,315 early in their careers. Set against $50,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Marys College Of Maryland came in at #19 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. Students from in state pay about $15,298 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $72,926. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Bowie State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $28,474. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $47,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Hood College placed #21 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,700. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,703. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Hood College earn a median of $59,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Capitol College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Laurel, Capitol College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,592. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,790 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $63,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys University landed the #23 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $48,630. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $21,240. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $57,612 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
More General Computer & Information Sciences Rankings
View All General Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.