[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.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general computer & information sciences schools.
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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.
College Of The Mainland tops our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools in Texas. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,095 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,536. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #3 place for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $37,808. That is a strong return on a $12,867 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes South Texas College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $6,967. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $33,522. Set against $6,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar State College Orange earned it the #5 place for general computer & information sciences. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #6 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $13,000. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #7 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $8,542. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #8 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College came in at #9 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #10 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $19,223. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Palo Alto College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
Mclennan Community College earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,598. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College earned the #13 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $14,242. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. Set against $14,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College earned the #14 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $16,734. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College placed #15 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $20,671. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $52,251 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Collin County Community College District came in at #17 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #18 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $73,311. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #19 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,071 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $54,531. That is a strong return on a $26,071 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #20 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $72,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Paris Junior College landed the #21 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Weatherford College earned the #22 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $10,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $14,099. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Weatherford College generally make around $48,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #23 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $56,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System came in at #24 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $12,500. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Tyler Junior College earned the #25 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for general computer & information sciences this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
