[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools to find the best return on investment for computer information systems students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer information systems degrees they offer, see the list below.
Delaware County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among computer information systems schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bucks County Community College earned it the #2 place for computer information systems. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $13,068. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Allegheny County earned it the #3 place for computer information systems. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $14,261. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $39,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Swarthmore College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $19,500. Computer Information Systems graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $103,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,732 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College generally make around $40,014. That is a strong return on a $11,732 median debt.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #6 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $15,219. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $39,025. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #7 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $11,375. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $21,223. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Reading Area Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $49,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #10 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $63,715. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $54,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Peirce College landed the #14 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $52,829 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Peirce College earn a median of $66,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $52,829 median debt.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology placed #15 among the best values for computer information systems. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology generally make around $47,944. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #16 among the best values for computer information systems. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Bradford generally make around $49,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg landed the #17 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,710, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $27,000. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $49,298. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania placed #18 among the best values for computer information systems. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $29,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #19 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $59,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #21 for value in computer information systems this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $55,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for computer information systems value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $48,056. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot for computer information systems value this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University landed the #24 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $26,934. Computer Information Systems graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Brandywine placed #25 among the best values for computer information systems. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, while out-of-state students pay about $25,392. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine admits about 98% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer information systems this year:
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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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
