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