[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 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.
Leading the list is Black River Technical College, our #1 best value for computer information systems in Arkansas. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $12,420. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Northwest Arkansas Community College one of the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $12,479. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,265 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn a median of $64,187 early in their careers. Set against $9,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Arkansas University Tech one of the best values for computer information systems. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Morrilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $4,728. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $13,758. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $47,729. Set against $13,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope came in at #6 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,885, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $23,204. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $46,227. Set against $23,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #8 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,975 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,904 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,975 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $26,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Pulaski Technical College placed #10 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Students borrow a median of $15,043 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Pulaski Technical College earn a median of $32,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Arkansas earned the #11 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $25,901 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $57,912 early in their careers. Set against $25,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
Northwest Technical Institute came in at #12 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Springdale, Northwest Technical Institute is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Northwest Technical Institute generally make around $42,552.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earned the #13 position for value in computer information systems this year. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $22,650. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $54,817. That is a strong return on a $22,650 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Arkansas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $59,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Harding University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,338 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. That is a strong return on a $19,338 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
