[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 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.
Leading the list is Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College, our #1 best value for general computer & information sciences in Kentucky. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $7,189. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $27,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Hazard Community And Technical College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.
Somerset Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,950 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $36,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Berea College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $5,801. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Owensboro Community And Technical College earned it the #5 place for general computer & information sciences. Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Owensboro. 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 $9,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $34,899. Set against $9,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #6 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,687 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $35,946. That is a strong return on a $9,687 median debt.
Hopkinsville Community College earned the #7 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-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 $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.
Ashland Community And Technical College placed #8 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,485 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $37,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-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 $10,875. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from West Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $38,782. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,588. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $10,500. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Maysville Community And Technical College earn a median of $36,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henderson Community College earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,528. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $40,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #13 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical 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. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,182. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $47,591. That is a strong return on a $13,182 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Elizabethtown. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,034. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madisonville Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,757 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $34,207 early in their careers. Set against $13,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,173. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $37,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,173 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #17 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $62,411. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Jefferson Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $40,389. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,145 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $39,867. Set against $25,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Kentucky State University earned the #20 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Morehead State University placed #21 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,896 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $41,046. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #22 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,951. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $40,725 early in their careers. Set against $23,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #24 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $71,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #25 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $68,351. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
