[Informatics](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/informatics/) 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 85 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for informatics students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in informatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in informatics, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,340 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $48,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values for informatics. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $12,000. Early-career informatics graduates make about $37,509. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,567 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $41,560. Set against $12,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in informatics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $23,849 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $48,236. That is a strong return on a $23,849 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at Pennsylvania State University World Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for informatics. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $27,000. Early-career informatics graduates make about $71,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Explore the best-value informatics schools at other degree levels:
View All Informatics Rankings >
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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
