
[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 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.
Frederick Community College earned the #1 spot for value among computer information systems schools in Maryland. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $10,778. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Montgomery College one of the best values for computer information systems. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $11,000. Computer Information Systems graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Community College Of Baltimore County earned it the #3 place for computer information systems. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at College Of Southern Maryland, which ranked #4. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,728 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of College Of Southern Maryland earn a median of $51,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Wor Wic Community College one of the best values for computer information systems. Located in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $13,995 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $51,392. Set against $13,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hagerstown Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $15,126. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baltimore City Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $7,394. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $11,202. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $38,858. Set against $11,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harford Community College earned the #8 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $12,624. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College placed #9 among the best values for computer information systems. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $13,949. Computer Information Systems graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,599, with out-of-state students paying around $10,836. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $18,115. Computer Information Systems graduates of Howard Community College earn a median of $56,172 early in their careers. Set against $18,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #11 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $75,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 spot for computer information systems value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $89,502. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Morgan State University earned the #13 position for value in computer information systems this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $30,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $66,950. Set against $30,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Anne Arundel Community College earned the #14 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $13,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.
Frostburg State University earned the #15 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $40,214. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Salisbury University landed the #16 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $59,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Towson University came in at #17 for value in computer information systems this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $20,562. Computer Information Systems graduates of Towson University earn a median of $53,171 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #18 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $124,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Strayer University Maryland landed the #19 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Suitland, Strayer University Maryland is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $50,737 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Strayer University Maryland earn a median of $67,315 early in their careers. Set against $50,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #20 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $22,000. Computer Information Systems graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of $72,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Bowie State University came in at #21 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $28,474 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $47,668. That is a strong return on a $28,474 median debt. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Hood College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,700. Students borrow a median of $24,703 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Hood College generally make around $59,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Capitol College came in at #23 for value in computer information systems this year. Capitol College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Laurel. In-state tuition and fees average $27,592. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $26,790. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Capitol College generally make around $63,334. Set against $26,790 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys University landed the #24 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,630. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $21,240. Computer Information Systems graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $57,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,240 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.