[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 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.
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, our #1 best value for general computer & information sciences in North Carolina. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $72,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes North Carolina Wesleyan College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,586 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,186. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from North Carolina Wesleyan College generally make around $42,142. That is a strong return on a $22,186 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned it the #3 place for general computer & information sciences. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. 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 Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $54,105. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #4 makes Johnson C Smith University one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Charlotte, Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,300. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $29,621. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
