[Informatics](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/informatics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for informatics students.
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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.
Leading the list is Suny At Albany, our #1 best value for informatics in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Informatics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career informatics graduates make about $49,759. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at Pennsylvania State University World Campus, which ranked #2. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $26,062. Early-career informatics graduates make about $116,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University At Buffalo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in informatics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $22,232. Early-career informatics graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for informatics. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $25,000. Early-career informatics graduates make about $59,430. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned it the #5 place for informatics. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,710, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg generally make around $49,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #6 spot for informatics value this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $75,619. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value informatics schools. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $100,059. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earned the #8 position for value in informatics this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Reading. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Informatics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks generally make around $84,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #9 spot for informatics value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $49,298. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for informatics. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Informatics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $100,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Desales University earned the #11 position for value in informatics this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $27,000. Informatics graduates of Desales University earn a median of $54,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for informatics. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $27,000. Informatics graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
New York University landed the #13 spot for informatics value this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $19,734. Early-career informatics graduates make about $97,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Drexel University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value informatics schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $28,838. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value informatics schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $27,000. Informatics graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $92,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Pratt Institute Main landed the #16 spot for informatics value this year. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $25,103. Early-career informatics graduates make about $38,569. Set against $25,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
