[Other Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/other-computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for other computer & information sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in other computer & information sciences, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the other computer & information sciences program here. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $49,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other computer & information sciences will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,119 to complete the other computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other computer & information sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $56,029. That is a strong return on a $16,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in other computer & information sciences will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for other computer & information sciences graduates is $19,007. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $55,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career other computer & information sciences graduates make about $146,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for other computer & information sciences. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
California Miramar University came in at #6 for value in other computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, California Miramar University is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,994. California Miramar University admits about 18% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #7 among the best values for other computer & information sciences. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,550 to complete the other computer & information sciences program here. Early-career other computer & information sciences graduates make about $88,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value other computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 14 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.
