[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) 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 37 schools to find the best return on investment for computer information systems students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer information systems, balancing cost against outcomes.
Macomb Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for computer information systems. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $15,865. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $25,000. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $77,273. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $113,634. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $27,813. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $65,597. That is a strong return on a $27,813 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #6 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $66,537 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #7 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,672 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $77,371. Set against $20,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #8 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $68,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #9 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $31,016. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $75,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #10 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $86,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Central Michigan University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $68,987. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #13 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $55,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kalamazoo College landed the #14 spot for computer information systems value this year. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,900. Students borrow a median of $26,118 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Kalamazoo College generally make around $72,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,022 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $103,513. Set against $24,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Hope College earned the #16 position for value in computer information systems this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $26,334. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $61,325. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lawrence Technological University placed #17 among the best values for computer information systems. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,760. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
