[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 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.
Our analysis ranked George C Wallace State Community College Dothan the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in Alabama. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,762. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Northeast Alabama Community College, which ranked #2. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $7,459. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Northwest Shoals Community College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,312. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. Set against $13,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snead State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,278 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,148. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Snead State Community College generally make around $40,626. Set against $12,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Gadsden State Community College, which ranked #5. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $34,710. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Bevill State Community College earned the #6 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,734 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $11,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J F Drake State Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Median earnings reach $28,281 ten years out.
John C Calhoun State Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,839 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,258. Set against $13,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson State Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Jefferson State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,083. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Jefferson State Community College generally make around $42,861. Set against $15,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College earned the #10 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Median earnings reach $32,183 ten years out.
University Of North Alabama placed #11 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $68,996. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma came in at #12 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $8,610. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,250. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Selma earn a median of $39,534 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #13 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,017. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
Jacksonville State University came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $23,578 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $62,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,578 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
James H Faulkner State Community College earned the #15 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public school located in the town of Bay Minette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $14,326. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of James H Faulkner State Community College earn a median of $52,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Alabama Community College placed #16 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,980. Students borrow a median of $12,939 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Alabama Community College earn a median of $42,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Troy University earned the #17 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,437 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $58,407. Set against $27,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama A And M University came in at #18 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $63,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $69,633. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama earned the #20 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $47,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #21 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $83,651. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University earned the #22 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $72,440 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Samford University placed #23 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $21,039. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
