[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 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.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #1 spot for value among computer information systems schools in Wisconsin. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,485. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at University Of Wisconsin River Falls, which ranked #2. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $47,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for computer information systems. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $59,680. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $68,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater, which ranked #5. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $25,742. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $52,995 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $80,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #7 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $22,479 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $65,243 early in their careers. Set against $22,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #8 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,619. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #9 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $26,657. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $46,561. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #10 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,614 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $73,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,614 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #11 among the best values for computer information systems. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $27,012 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $64,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lakeland College earned the #12 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,396. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Lakeland College generally make around $72,789. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #13 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $72,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Carthage College earned the #14 position for value in computer information systems this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,750. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $25,708. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $41,923. Set against $25,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Concordia University Wisconsin placed #15 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $27,172. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $58,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.
Marquette University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $22,536 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $84,797. Set against $22,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 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.
