[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Leading the list is Germanna Community College, our #1 best value for computer information systems in Virginia. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $10,999. Computer Information Systems graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #2. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $40,984. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rappahannock Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,540. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $8,997 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Rappahannock Community College earn a median of $43,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,997 median debt.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $11,235 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $33,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at Virginia Western Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer information systems this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #7 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #8 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $7,490. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $33,529. That is a strong return on a $7,490 median debt.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $7,467. Computer Information Systems graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $12,448 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $39,679 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #11 position for value in computer information systems this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $36,758. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $46,892. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #14 for value in computer information systems this year. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College landed the #15 spot for computer information systems value this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $44,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College came in at #16 for value in computer information systems this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $11,243. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $45,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University came in at #17 for value in computer information systems this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $23,250. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $104,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University placed #18 among the best values for computer information systems. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $64,530. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mountain Empire Community College came in at #19 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
College Of William And Mary came in at #20 for value in computer information systems this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave came in at #21 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norfolk State University came in at #22 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $17,783. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $98,067 early in their careers. Set against $17,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #24 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $22,142 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $76,301. Set against $22,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Strayer University Virginia earned the #25 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Strayer University Virginia is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $50,737 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Strayer University Virginia earn a median of $67,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $50,737 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer information systems:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
