[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 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.
Our analysis ranked Delaware County Community College the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Bucks County Community College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,068. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania Highlands Community College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $7,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,732 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. Set against $11,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Luzerne County Community College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $14,614. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,353. Set against $14,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $21,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #6 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,261 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $39,461. Set against $14,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $15,219 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,979. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #9 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $14,450. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $54,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $27,128. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology placed #12 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisburg. In-state tuition and fees average $24,400. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $47,944 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #13 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Students borrow a median of $26,062 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $116,067 early in their careers. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $63,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,512, with out-of-state students paying around $19,384. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $29,087. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #16 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $59,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University came in at #17 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $58,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Albright College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Albright College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,082. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $28,958. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Albright College earn a median of $38,075 early in their careers. Set against $28,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University landed the #19 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Swarthmore College placed #20 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $19,500. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $103,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 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 Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $48,056. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #22 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,950 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $55,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Pennsylvania State University Brandywine ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $26,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University Brandywine earn a median of $51,377 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine admits about 98% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #24 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #25 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $100,059. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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), 2027 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
