[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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.
Francis Marion University earned the #1 spot for value among general computer & information sciences schools in South Carolina. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $30,577. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $41,456. Set against $30,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at University Of South Carolina Upstate, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,999. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $27,040. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $64,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $59,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College South Carolina placed #6 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,054. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $28,158. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,339. Set against $28,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston came in at #7 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $67,438 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
South Carolina State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,060, compared with $21,750 for out-of-state students. 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 $30,082. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Carolina State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Clemson University earned the #9 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,498. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $73,374. Set against $22,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #10 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $68,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
