by our College Data Analytics Team
[Informatics](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/informatics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong informatics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value informatics schools.
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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 Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Suny At Albany one of the best values for informatics. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $49,759. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at University At Buffalo, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Informatics graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Informatics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned it the #4 place for informatics. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,710, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of $49,298 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $59,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #6 spot for informatics value this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #7 spot for informatics value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #8 spot for informatics value this year. 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. Informatics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,358. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #9 for value in informatics this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Informatics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Informatics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $49,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Desales University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Center Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $54,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for informatics value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Widener University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for informatics value this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $60,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
New York University landed the #13 spot for informatics value this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Informatics graduates carry a median of $19,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from New York University generally make around $97,424. That is a strong return on a $19,734 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Drexel University landed the #14 spot for informatics value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University landed the #15 spot for informatics value this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Informatics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Informatics graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $92,292 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.