[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in Massachusetts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. 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.
Holyoke Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,763. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #4 place for general computer & information sciences. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts placed #6 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,436, with out-of-state students paying around $21,381. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts generally make around $80,332. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Framingham State University landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. 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. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $63,538 early in their careers. Set against $25,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #8 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $113,649. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Harvard University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $158,673. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. 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, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,391. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $58,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #11 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. 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.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #12 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. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #13 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,232. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College earned the #15 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $100,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Fisher College landed the #16 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,872. Set against $28,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Springfield College earned the #17 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,880. Set against $27,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northeastern University earned the #18 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $117,357. That is a strong return on a $23,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Bentley University came in at #19 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Bentley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Bentley University generally make around $72,227. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
More General Computer & Information Sciences Rankings
View All General Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
