[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 59 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer & information sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general computer & information sciences, no school beat Middlesex Community College Bedford this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $48,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Essex Community College earned it the #2 place for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holyoke Community College earned it the #3 place for general computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harvard University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. 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. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,616. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $158,673. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,415 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $69,334 early in their careers. Set against $19,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University came in at #6 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $54,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bay Path College placed #7 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. In-state tuition and fees average $38,302. Students borrow a median of $30,122 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $59,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Fitchburg State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,875 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $47,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,875 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Community College Of Vermont placed #9 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Montpelier. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920, while out-of-state students pay about $13,640. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,182. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #10 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Framingham State University placed #11 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. 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. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #12 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $113,649 early in their careers. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,516. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 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 $57,706. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Great Bay Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,639 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $48,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #16 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $21,750. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $67,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Keene State College earned the #17 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $26,798. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $48,003. That is a strong return on a $26,798 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Post University earned the #18 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Post University generally make around $50,494. Set against $35,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Connecticut State University landed the #19 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $39,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #20 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wellesley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,350 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $100,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #22 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $75,156. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #24 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $28,500. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $58,480. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Boston University landed the #25 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
