[Other Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/other-computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other computer & information sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among other computer & information sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for other computer & information sciences graduates is $19,985. Soon after graduation, other computer & information sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $72,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for other computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for other computer & information sciences graduates is $20,115. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the other computer & information sciences program here. Early-career other computer & information sciences graduates make about $113,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value other computer & information sciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for other computer & information sciences graduates is $27,012. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $64,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other computer & information sciences graduates is $15,854. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College came in at #6 for value in other computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for other computer & information sciences graduates is $22,400. Soon after graduation, other computer & information sciences degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northwestern University landed the #7 spot for other computer & information sciences value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Other Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Narrow Other Computer & Information Sciences Schools by State
More Other Computer & Information Sciences Rankings
View All Other Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
