[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 259 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida Online the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $90,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #2 place for general computer & information sciences. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $7,189 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $27,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owensboro Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,098. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Owensboro Community And Technical College earn a median of $34,899 early in their careers. Set against $9,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $90,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Berea College placed #6 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $35,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #7 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #8 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,942. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $40,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hazard Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,212 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. Set against $12,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Arkansas University Tech earned the #11 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,302. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #12 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,131. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,195 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,903. That is a strong return on a $11,195 median debt.
Somerset Community College came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,168. Set against $8,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,182 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $47,591. That is a strong return on a $13,182 median debt.
Germanna Community College earned the #16 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $10,999. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $41,880. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,782. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College came in at #18 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,710. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maysville Community And Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,731. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Shoals Community College landed the #20 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $33,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ashland Community And Technical College placed #21 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,485. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $37,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wytheville Community College placed #22 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $40,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bevill State Community College landed the #23 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,040. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Tennessee Community College came in at #24 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $43,592. That is a strong return on a $11,406 median debt.
Hopkinsville Community College came in at #25 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,269. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $43,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for general computer & information sciences this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 259 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 93 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.
