Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer information systems, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in computer information systems, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $8,098. Computer Information Systems graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #2. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for computer information systems. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #4 spot this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #5 place for computer information systems. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College earned the #6 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #7 position for value in computer information systems this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #8 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $49,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $45,355. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Imperial Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Santa Ana College placed #11 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College placed #12 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Chabot College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $13,180. Computer Information Systems graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #15 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College landed the #16 spot for computer information systems value this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College landed the #17 spot for computer information systems value this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College earned the #18 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Porterville College came in at #19 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,328 ten years after entry.
Allan Hancock College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Diablo Valley College earned the #21 position for value in computer information systems this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College came in at #22 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $14,105. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cosumnes River College earned the #24 position for value in computer information systems this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $5,500. Computer Information Systems graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Long Beach City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer information systems this year:
Narrow Computer Information Systems Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 208 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
