[Informatics](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/informatics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong informatics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for informatics students.
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Featured Informatics Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AS in Information Technologies
Gain the specialized knowledge and critical-thinking skills required to begin a career in tech with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the informatics degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of California Irvine tops our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools in California. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $53,517. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for informatics. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Redlands came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. In-state tuition and fees average $60,878. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $27,175. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $57,218. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Informatics graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Informatics graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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 · 4 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.
