[Informatics](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/informatics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 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.
Our analysis ranked Pennsylvania State University World Campus the best value for a degree in informatics in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Students borrow a median of $26,062 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $116,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,062 median debt. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a great value for students pursuing a degree in informatics, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $49,298. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for informatics. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $25,000. Informatics graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $59,430 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg one of the best values for informatics. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of $100,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks one of the best values for informatics. Set in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $26,000. Early-career informatics graduates make about $84,050. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #6 spot for informatics value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Informatics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career informatics graduates make about $49,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Desales University earned the #7 position for value in informatics this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in informatics this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $100,059. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Drexel University landed the #9 spot for informatics value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Informatics graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career informatics graduates make about $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
