[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 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 Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center the best value for a degree in general computer & information sciences in Minnesota. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center is a small private not-for-profit institution. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center generally make around $39,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The College Of Saint Scholastica earned it the #2 place for general computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,778. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $60,845. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $99,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Macalester College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,829 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $81,964 early in their careers. Set against $20,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,067. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $52,459. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Walden University earn a median of $93,785 early in their careers. Set against $52,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
