by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value informatics schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the informatics degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in informatics, no school beat University Of Phoenix Arizona this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $32,771. Informatics graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $57,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,771 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,312 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $71,183. That is a strong return on a $15,312 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #3 place for informatics. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the informatics program here. Informatics graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for informatics. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Informatics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Informatics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $73,057 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.