[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 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.
Our analysis ranked J Sargeant Reynolds Community College the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #2. 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. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,984. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wytheville Community College earned it the #3 place for general computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,542. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $40,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Virginia Community College earned it the #4 place for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,384 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Germanna Community College, which ranked #5. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $10,999. 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 landed the #6 spot for general computer & information sciences value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #7 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #8 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $12,495. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #9 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #10 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,448 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $39,679 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Students borrow a median of $13,132 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Southside Virginia Community College placed #12 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,467 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $29,666. Set against $7,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College placed #13 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,243 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College landed the #14 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,494. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,250. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $104,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Mountain Empire Community College earned the #16 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. 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, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Old Dominion University landed the #17 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $26,125. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $64,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,768 median debt.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #19 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,050 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $84,338. Set against $19,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University landed the #20 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. 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.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #21 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Regent University placed #22 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $50,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Lynchburg College placed #23 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,750. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 43%.
James Madison University landed the #24 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $81,761. Set against $21,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #25 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Students borrow a median of $22,142 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $76,301. Set against $22,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general computer & information sciences:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
