[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 38 schools to build this 2027 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 Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for general computer & information sciences in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,427. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $44,682. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
Holyoke Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. Set against $9,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Worcester State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $54,477. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes Central Connecticut State University one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $69,334. Set against $19,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Great Bay Community College landed the #6 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $17,639. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $48,692 early in their careers. Set against $17,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem State University placed #7 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $57,706. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Community College Of Vermont earned the #8 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920, while out-of-state students pay about $13,640. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Community College Of Vermont generally make around $34,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $113,649 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Harvard University landed the #11 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $158,673. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $63,538. That is a strong return on a $25,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts came in at #13 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,381 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $80,332. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts admits about 90% of applicants.
Western Connecticut State University landed the #14 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $77,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #15 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,391 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $58,909. That is a strong return on a $24,391 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Keene State College placed #16 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $26,798. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $48,003 early in their careers. Set against $26,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #17 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $77,970. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #18 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $133,293. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #19 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $58,480. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Rhode Island ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $67,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Eastern Connecticut State University earned the #21 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $25,839 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $39,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,839 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Brown University came in at #22 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #23 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #24 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $75,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Post University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $35,364. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Post University generally make around $50,494. That is a strong return on a $35,364 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
