[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer & information sciences students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Delaware County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general computer & information sciences schools in Pennsylvania. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $14,261 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $39,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,261 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, with out-of-state students paying around $13,350. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,732. 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 #5 makes Swarthmore College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $103,686. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Reading Area Community College earned the #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,219. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earned the #8 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #9 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,375. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $21,223. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #10 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for general computer & information sciences value 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. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $63,715. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #13 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. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $54,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $28,000. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $29,087. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania admits about 66% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $59,430. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,950. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $55,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,056. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Brandywine earned the #21 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,392. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University placed #22 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Geneva College came in at #23 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,450 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Geneva College generally make around $45,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Erie Institute Of Technology Inc placed #25 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Erie, Erie Institute Of Technology Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,295. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,688. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $32,540. That is a strong return on a $11,688 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for general computer & information sciences this year:
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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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
