[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer & information sciences students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general computer & information sciences, no school beat Northeast Alabama Community College this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Gadsden State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,710. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Shoals Community College earned it the #4 place for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Students borrow a median of $13,312 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. 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.
Bishop State Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Bishop State Community College generally make around $35,475. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.
Bevill State Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Students borrow a median of $11,040 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $38,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,040 median debt.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #7 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.
Snead State Community College placed #8 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,278, compared with $9,148 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,083 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Snead State Community College generally make around $40,626. That is a strong return on a $12,083 median debt.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,204 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Chattahoochee Valley Community College generally make around $53,099. Set against $13,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #10 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,120, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Enterprise State Community College landed the #11 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Enterprise State Community College generally make around $22,991. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Jefferson State Community College came in at #12 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Students borrow a median of $15,083 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Jefferson State Community College generally make around $42,861. That is a strong return on a $15,083 median debt.
Southern Union State Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, compared with $8,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,555. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College generally make around $44,385. Set against $11,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shelton State Community College placed #14 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,127, while out-of-state students pay about $8,997. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $10,688. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Shelton State Community College generally make around $49,403. That is a strong return on a $10,688 median debt.
University Of North Alabama came in at #15 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 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 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 Hanceville earned the #16 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $40,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Troy University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,437 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Troy University earn a median of $58,407 early in their careers. Set against $27,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Central Alabama Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Jacksonville State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,578. 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. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Alabama A And M University earned the #20 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $18,634. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $63,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama landed the #21 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $47,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #22 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $24,000. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $69,633. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Alabama placed #23 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $72,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Samford University landed the #25 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $21,039. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $64,132. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.
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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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
