[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 89 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value computer information systems schools.
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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 Macomb Community College this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for computer information systems. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $35,348. 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 Carl Sandburg College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delta College earned it the #4 place for computer information systems. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,434 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $48,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $61,699. That is a strong return on a $18,700 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Lake County ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Oakland Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,226 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,869. That is a strong return on a $12,226 median debt.
Columbus State Community College earned the #10 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the computer information systems program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Stark State College placed #11 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #12 for value in computer information systems this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $20,115. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $113,634. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Purdue University Global came in at #14 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $54,293. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $73,055. Set against $54,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #15 spot for computer information systems value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $77,273 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #16 for value in computer information systems this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $26,500. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $66,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Lakeland Community College earned the #17 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #18 spot for computer information systems value this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne State University placed #19 among the best values for computer information systems. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,672 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $77,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $43,463. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $75,242. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $113,503. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #23 for value in computer information systems this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $25,780. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $69,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
National Louis University landed the #24 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $29,242. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $53,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for computer information systems. 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, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,985 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $72,132. Set against $19,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer information systems this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 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.
