[Computer Information Systems](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 96 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer information systems schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer information systems, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of The Mainland earned the #1 spot for value among computer information systems schools in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $6,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $33,522. That is a strong return on a $6,967 median debt.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #3 spot this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $12,867 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $37,808. That is a strong return on a $12,867 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $49,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $24,095 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $45,536. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar State College Orange placed #6 among the best values for computer information systems. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. That is a strong return on a $12,323 median debt.
Western Texas College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for computer information systems. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $8,542. Computer Information Systems graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Central Texas College came in at #10 for value in computer information systems this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $11,290. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Palo Alto College came in at #11 for value in computer information systems this year. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College placed #12 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $33,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #13 position for value in computer information systems this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #14 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $10,058. Computer Information Systems graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Kilgore College earned the #15 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,160, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $16,617. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $55,262. Set against $16,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #18 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $20,671 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $52,251. That is a strong return on a $20,671 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Paris Junior College landed the #19 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $8,846. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Collin County Community College District earned the #20 position for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #22 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Southwest Texas Junior College landed the #23 spot for computer information systems value this year. Set in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,646, while out-of-state students pay about $6,294. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $7,157. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $25,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rice University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $12,381. Computer Information Systems graduates of Rice University earn a median of $131,154 early in their careers. Set against $12,381 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $72,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
