[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for informatics students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in informatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among informatics schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,340 to complete the informatics program here. Early-career informatics graduates make about $48,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $12,000. Early-career informatics graduates make about $37,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in informatics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $19,875. Informatics graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $58,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Emporia State University one of the best values for informatics. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $23,131. Early-career informatics graduates make about $46,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capella University earned it the #5 place for informatics. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $37,539. Early-career informatics graduates make about $97,688. Set against $37,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Iowa came in at #6 for value in informatics this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $26,025. Early-career informatics graduates make about $60,199. Set against $26,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in informatics this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Informatics graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $80,588. That is a strong return on a $37,250 median debt. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
