[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Germanna Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools in Virginia. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Rappahannock Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $8,997. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Rappahannock Community College generally make around $43,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,235. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #4 place for general computer & information sciences. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $40,984. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Western Community College earned it the #5 place for general computer & information sciences. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,715. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #6 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #7 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #8 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Virginia Highlands Community College generally make around $33,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,467 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $29,666. That is a strong return on a $7,467 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #10 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $12,448. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $39,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,448 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #11 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College earned the #13 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,132. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. Set against $13,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College earned the #14 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $10,384. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $32,309. Set against $10,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College came in at #15 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College earned the #16 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,243. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $45,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University landed the #17 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $104,407. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Old Dominion University earned the #18 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $64,530. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,036. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,988. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of William And Mary came in at #20 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $18,935. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $53,338. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #21 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. Set against $11,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norfolk State University placed #22 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $17,783. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $98,067. That is a strong return on a $17,783 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Strayer University Virginia came in at #24 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Strayer University Virginia is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. Students borrow a median of $50,737 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Strayer University Virginia generally make around $59,916. That is a strong return on a $50,737 median debt.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,142. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $76,301. Set against $22,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general computer & information sciences:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
