[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Northeast Alabama Community College the best value for a degree in computer information systems in Alabama. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $35,119. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $9,942. Computer Information Systems graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Gadsden State Community College one of the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $34,710. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at Northwest Shoals Community College, which ranked #4. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $13,312. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
Bevill State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #5 spot this year. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $11,040. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,514. That is a strong return on a $11,040 median debt.
Bishop State Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $13,712. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Bishop State Community College generally make around $35,475. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #7 for value in computer information systems this year. H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.
Snead State Community College landed the #8 spot for computer information systems value this year. Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Boaz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,278, compared with $9,148 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $12,083. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Snead State Community College generally make around $40,626. That is a strong return on a $12,083 median debt.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Students borrow a median of $13,204 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Chattahoochee Valley Community College generally make around $53,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John C Calhoun State Community College earned the #10 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,990. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $13,839. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from John C Calhoun State Community College generally make around $36,258. That is a strong return on a $13,839 median debt.
Jefferson State Community College landed the #11 spot for computer information systems value this year. Jefferson State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Birmingham. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $15,083 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $42,861 early in their careers. Set against $15,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Enterprise State Community College earned the #12 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $22,991. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Union State Community College earned the #13 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, compared with $8,874 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $11,555 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $44,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Alabama placed #14 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $68,996. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
Shelton State Community College came in at #15 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,127, while out-of-state students pay about $8,997. Students borrow a median of $10,688 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $49,403. That is a strong return on a $10,688 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Students borrow a median of $13,146 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $40,017. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
Troy University landed the #17 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $27,437. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $58,407. Set against $27,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Central Alabama Community College came in at #18 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,980. Students borrow a median of $12,939 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Central Alabama Community College earn a median of $42,166 early in their careers. Set against $12,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #19 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $41,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $45,526. That is a strong return on a $41,176 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama A And M University came in at #20 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $18,634. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $31,000. Computer Information Systems graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $63,900 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University earned the #21 position for value in computer information systems this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Students borrow a median of $23,578 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $62,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia Southern University placed #22 among the best values for computer information systems. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $28,578. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $53,644. That is a strong return on a $28,578 median debt.
University Of South Alabama ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $47,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $69,633. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #25 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $83,651. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer information systems:
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
