[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment 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 South Carolina Aiken, our #1 best value for general computer & information sciences in South Carolina. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. In-state tuition and fees average $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,011 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $42,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. 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 $49,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. 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, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Winthrop University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,040 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $64,302. That is a strong return on a $27,040 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Lander University one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,064 in student loans. 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.
College Of Charleston came in at #6 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $67,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
South Carolina State University placed #7 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,060, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,082. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #8 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $71,213. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Clemson University placed #9 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,498. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $73,374 early in their careers. Set against $22,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #10 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
