[Informatics](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/informatics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for informatics students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in informatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in informatics in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Informatics graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career informatics graduates make about $90,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #2 place for informatics. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $24,489. Informatics graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $61,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,489 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Informatics graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Informatics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida Gulf Coast University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in informatics, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for informatics. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $20,500. Informatics graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $61,941 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in informatics this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $21,792. Informatics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $29,078. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #8 among the best values for informatics. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Informatics graduates carry a median of $25,945 in student loans. Informatics graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $40,583 early in their careers. Set against $25,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Kentucky landed the #9 spot for informatics value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Informatics graduates carry a median of $22,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $73,374. Set against $22,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Saint Thomas University earned the #11 position for value in informatics this year. Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami Gardens. Students from in state pay about $34,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,955 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Saint Thomas University generally make around $55,292. That is a strong return on a $24,955 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Informatics graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career informatics graduates make about $68,597. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University earned the #13 position for value in informatics this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Informatics graduates carry a median of $28,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $70,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Full Sail University placed #14 among the best values for informatics. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,906. Informatics graduates carry a median of $24,252 in student loans. Informatics graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
