[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in general computer & information sciences, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Kansas City this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,660. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Saint Louis Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $11,424. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $38,999. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $23,619. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $76,869. That is a strong return on a $23,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Missouri Southern State University, which ranked #4. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $39,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $22,948 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $58,964. That is a strong return on a $22,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #6 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $22,785. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $65,444. That is a strong return on a $22,785 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Park University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $59,664. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt.
Avila University placed #9 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $51,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #10 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,471 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,746. That is a strong return on a $25,471 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Lindenwood University came in at #11 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $31,241. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $60,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,241 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #12 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $72,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Columbia College Missouri landed the #13 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,306 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $57,542. Set against $30,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $80,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
