[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer information systems education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 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.
Leading the list is Sinclair Community College, our #1 best value for computer information systems in Ohio. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Columbus State Community College one of the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $19,857. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Cincinnati Clermont College one of the best values for computer information systems. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,525 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $39,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,525 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for computer information systems. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $82,448. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Miami University Hamilton landed the #7 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $26,495. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $66,030. That is a strong return on a $26,495 median debt.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in computer information systems this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $26,979. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $69,071. Set against $26,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Youngstown State University came in at #9 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $39,279. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $49,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #11 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $63,535. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,203 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $80,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,203 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Franklin University placed #13 among the best values for computer information systems. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Students borrow a median of $39,352 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $63,310. That is a strong return on a $39,352 median debt.
University Of Dayton landed the #14 spot for computer information systems value this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $25,033. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Oberlin College earned the #15 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $25,146. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
