[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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value informatics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in informatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in informatics, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $90,651. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #2. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,489 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $61,046. Set against $24,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Florida earned it the #4 place for informatics. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Informatics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career informatics graduates make about $61,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Thomas University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in informatics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,770. Students borrow a median of $24,955 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of Saint Thomas University earn a median of $55,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Thomas University admits about 98% of applicants.
Full Sail University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,906 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,252 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Full Sail University generally make around $52,927. Set against $24,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
