[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer information systems education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 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.
Leading the list is Pellissippi State Community College, our #1 best value for computer information systems in Tennessee. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $44,224 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Roane State Community College one of the best values for computer information systems. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $12,674. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $44,481. That is a strong return on a $12,674 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Southwest Tennessee Community College one of the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Students borrow a median of $11,406 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $33,171. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,484 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $41,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walters State Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $36,266. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
Nashville State Community College placed #7 among the best values for computer information systems. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $42,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson State Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,553 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $30,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State Community College landed the #9 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $8,742. Computer Information Systems graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $40,513 early in their careers. Set against $8,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College came in at #10 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,782 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Students borrow a median of $6,404 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $27,882 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Volunteer State Community College landed the #11 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $35,042. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $30,736. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $58,060. That is a strong return on a $30,736 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $86,810 early in their careers. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #14 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $84,311. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Strayer University Tennessee earned the #15 position for value in computer information systems this year. Strayer University Tennessee is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $50,737 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $67,315. That is a strong return on a $50,737 median debt.
East Tennessee State University landed the #16 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $24,669 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $52,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro came in at #17 for value in computer information systems this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro is a small public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $10,723. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $37,744. That is a strong return on a $10,723 median debt.
Motlow State Community College placed #18 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $6,470. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Motlow State Community College generally make around $43,750. That is a strong return on a $6,470 median debt.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #19 for value in computer information systems this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $24,920 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $59,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
South College placed #20 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the city of Knoxville, South College is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,535. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
King College earned the #21 position for value in computer information systems this year. King College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bristol. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from King College generally make around $49,926. Set against $19,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Fisk University came in at #22 for value in computer information systems this year. Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $25,858 in tuition and fees. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $26,310 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Fisk University earn a median of $38,089 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fisk University admits about 37% of applicants.
Belmont University came in at #23 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $49,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
