[Informatics](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/informatics/) 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 5 schools to find the best return on investment for informatics students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in informatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of California Irvine, our #1 best value for informatics in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $53,517. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Informatics graduates carry a median of $16,277 in student loans. Informatics graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $98,235 early in their careers. Set against $16,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Redlands is a great value for students pursuing a degree in informatics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern California earned it the #5 place for informatics. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
