[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $12,867. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $37,808. Set against $12,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $24,095. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $45,536. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in computer information systems will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #4. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $6,967. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $33,522. That is a strong return on a $6,967 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer information systems, landing the #5 spot this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the computer information systems program here. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #6 among the best values for computer information systems. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
El Paso Community College landed the #7 spot for computer information systems value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College earned the #9 position for value in computer information systems this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Computer Information Systems graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College landed the #10 spot for computer information systems value this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $8,691. Computer Information Systems graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Palo Alto College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Palo Alto College is a very 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. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #12 position for value in computer information systems this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Mclennan Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $11,598. Computer Information Systems graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $14,242. Computer Information Systems graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $44,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
South Plains College placed #16 among the best values for computer information systems. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $13,788. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #17 spot for computer information systems value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for computer information systems graduates is $20,671. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $52,251. That is a strong return on a $20,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Collin County Community College District came in at #18 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #19 position for value in computer information systems this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the computer information systems program here. Computer Information Systems graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $73,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $26,071 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer information systems degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $54,531. Set against $26,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #21 for value in computer information systems this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. 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 University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Paris Junior College came in at #22 for value in computer information systems this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Early-career computer information systems graduates make about $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weatherford College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value computer information systems schools. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $10,860. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $14,099 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $48,208 early in their careers. Set against $14,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #24 position for value in computer information systems this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Computer Information Systems graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Computer Information Systems graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $56,475 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Central Texas College came in at #25 for value in computer information systems this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the computer information systems program here. 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.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer information systems:
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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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
