[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Great Bay Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,692. Set against $17,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Keene State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $27,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $75,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Rivier College, which ranked #4. Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashua. In-state tuition and fees average $39,488. Students borrow a median of $28,917 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Rivier College earn a median of $60,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,917 median debt. Rivier College admits about 83% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New England College earned it the #5 place for general computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,474 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $35,038. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of New England College earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,038 median debt. New England College admits about 92% of applicants.
Southern New Hampshire University came in at #6 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,200. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $29,437. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $62,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,437 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
