[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.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general computer & information sciences schools.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $8,250. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,427. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Essex Community College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,625. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $44,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,616. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $158,673 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Bay Path College, which ranked #5. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,122 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $59,424 early in their careers. Set against $30,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University earned the #6 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,250. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $54,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fitchburg State University landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,875 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $47,508. That is a strong return on a $27,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Framingham State University landed the #8 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,673 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $63,538. That is a strong return on a $25,673 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #9 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,391 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $58,909 early in their careers. Set against $24,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #10 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,574. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $113,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #11 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,516. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University landed the #12 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Wellesley College landed the #13 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $13,350 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $100,644. That is a strong return on a $13,350 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #14 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $77,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Boston University earned the #15 position for value in general computer & information sciences 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. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Fisher College placed #16 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,689. Students borrow a median of $28,590 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Fisher College earn a median of $44,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Students borrow a median of $26,740 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $63,860. That is a strong return on a $26,740 median debt. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,001. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $117,357. Set against $23,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Bentley University placed #19 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Bentley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Students from in state pay about $61,000 in tuition and fees. 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 Bentley University generally make around $72,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
