2021 Best Colleges for Computer Information Systems
Approximately 63,410 computer information systems degrees were granted to students last year in the United States. With so many options it can be a challenge finding the right fit. This year's Best Colleges for Computer Information Systems ranking analyzed 293 colleges and universities that offer a bachelor's degree in computer information systems. We look at over 20 factors to determine the top 15% of colleges for Computer Information Systems students.
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Choosing a Great Computer Information Systems School
Your choice of computer information systems school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A Great Overall School
The overall quality of a school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The lowest ranked school in our list is in the top 19% of our overall quality ranking while the vast majority are in at least the top 13%.
Above Average Earnings After Graduation
Computer Information Systems graduates from schools on this list tend to earn more after college than those from other schools. While the average computer information systems bachelors degree from U.S. colleges results in an average starting salary of $54,451, graduates of colleges on this list average $79,628.
Other Factors We Consider
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
- Major Focus - How much a school focuses on Computer Information Systems students vs. other majors.
- Major Popularity - How many other computer information systems students choose this school.
- Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or a recognized computer information systems related accrediting body.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for Computer Information Systems students.
Best Schools to Study Computer Information Systems in the United States
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for a Computer Information Systems degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Top 25 Best CIS Colleges
University of Pennsylvania is among your best bets if you want to study computer information systems. UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of 9 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great school overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, UPenn also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. University of Pennsylvania computer information systems graduates earn $55,572 more than the typical CIS graduate.
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It is hard to beat New Jersey Institute of Technology if you wish to pursue computer information systems as a major. NJIT is a fairly large public school located in the city of Newark. This school ranks 302nd out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.
For those interested in something more advanced, NJIT also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Soon after graduating, CIS students typically earn around $62,500 at the beginning of their careers.
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Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the United States for computer information systems. Located in the large city Atlanta, Georgia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 82 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means Georgia Tech is a great college overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, Georgia Tech also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Graduates from the computer information systems major at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus get $5,372 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
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Rice University is among your top options if you're planning on studying computer information systems. Located in the large city Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of 11 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Rice is a great college overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, Rice also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Computer Information Systems majors from Rice University get a earnings boost of approximately $32,272 above the typical earnings of computer information systems majors.
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Located in the midsize city New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 10 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means Yale is a great school overall.
There are about 168 computer information systems undergrads enrolled in this program at Yale. Graduates from the computer information systems program at Yale University get $40,672 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
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Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of 20 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great college overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, Johns Hopkins also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Computer Information Systems students from Johns Hopkins University earn a boost of around $13,072 over the average earnings of computer information systems majors.
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Located in the large city Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 81 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Northeastern is a great college overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, Northeastern also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Northeastern University computer information systems majors make $6,172 more than the typical CIS student.
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NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York. This school ranks 130th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There are roughly 1055 computer information systems undergraduates studying this program at NYU. Graduates of the CIS program report average early career earnings of $76,700.
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Located in the city Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public college with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 88 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.
Virginia Tech is one of the most popular college to study CIS in United States with more than 385 graduations last year. Virginia Tech computer information systems students make $3,972 more than the standard CIS graduate.
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Located in the city Seattle, UW Seattle is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 97th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.
For those interested in something more advanced, UW Seattle also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Grads of the CIS program report average early career wages of $68,300.
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University of Virginia is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of 42 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great school overall.
With 240 undergraduates, University of Virginia - Main Campus is one of most popular schools to study CIS in United States. University of Virginia - Main Campus computer information systems students make $6,172 more than the typical CIS student.
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Wisconsin is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of 76 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Wisconsin is a great school overall.
There are approximately 639 computer information systems undergrads studying this degree at Wisconsin. Students who graduate from the CIS program make around $71,500 in the first couple years of working.
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UT Austin is a very large public school located in the large city of Austin. This college ranks 91st out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.
For those interested in something more advanced, UT Austin also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Graduates of the CIS program earn about $76,200 in their early career salary.
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Located in the small city Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 17 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great school overall.
A popular major for computer information systems undergrads, there are roughly 270 students enrolled in this program at Cornell. Students who graduate from this degree state that they receive average early career earnings of $79,600.
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SUNY Stony Brook is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Stony Brook. This college ranks 222nd out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There are roughly 590 computer information systems undergraduates studying this degree at SUNY Stony Brook. Graduates of the CIS program make around $71,300 for their early career.
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Located in the medium-sized city Gainesville, U of F is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 85 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means U of F is a great college overall.
A popular choice for computer information systems undergrads, there are about 374 individuals enrolled in this degree at U of F. Students who graduate from this degree report average early career earnings of $74,200.
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JMU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Harrisonburg. This school ranks 194th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
A popular major for computer information systems undergraduates, there are about 88 students studying this program at JMU. After graduation, CIS students generally earn an average of $67,900 in their early careers.
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U of Michigan is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of 38 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means U of Michigan is a great school overall.
There are approximately 709 computer information systems undergrads studying this program at U of Michigan. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor computer information systems graduates make $7,272 more than the average CIS grad.
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Located in the small city New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public school with a very large student population. This college ranks 183rd out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.
For those interested in something more advanced, Rutgers New Brunswick also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. After graduation, CIS students usually make about $70,300 at the beginning of their careers.
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Carolina is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Columbia. This college ranks 224th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.
There are about 210 computer information systems undergrads studying this degree at Carolina. Soon after getting their bachelor's degree, CIS students typically make around $60,200 in the first five years of their career.
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UT Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. This school ranks 306th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.
There are about 1017 computer information systems undergrads enrolled in this degree at UT Dallas. After graduation, CIS students generally make around $64,800 in their early careers.
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GMU is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Fairfax. This school ranks 271st out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
For those interested in something more advanced, GMU also offers 2 different higher degree levels in computer information systems, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Graduates of the CIS program make about $64,300 for their early career.
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Located in the large city Chicago, Illinois Tech is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 154th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
There are roughly 222 computer information systems undergraduates studying this degree at Illinois Tech. Graduates of the CIS program state that they receive average early career earnings of $60,900.
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Michigan State is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. This college ranks 107th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There are approximately 268 computer information systems undergraduates studying this degree at Michigan State. Students who graduate from the CIS program earn about $70,200 for their early career.
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Located in the midsize city Richmond, VCU is a public school with a very large student population. This school ranks 322nd out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
With 91 undergraduates, Virginia Commonwealth University is one of most popular colleges to study CIS in United States. Graduates of the CIS program earn around $64,600 in their early career salary.
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Honorable Mentions
Here are some additional great schools for Computer Information Systems students that almost earned our Best Colleges for Computer Information Systems award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Villanova University | Villanova, PA |
| 45 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY |
| 46 | Temple University | Philadelphia, PA |
| 47 | Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA |
| 48 | University of Houston | Houston, TX |
| 49 | University of Richmond | University of Richmond, VA |
| 50 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
| 51 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
| 52 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus | Durham, NH |
| 53 | University of Missouri - Columbia | Columbia, MO |
| 54 | University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS |
| 55 | Brigham Young University - Provo | Provo, UT |
| 56 | Macalester College | Saint Paul, MN |
| 57 | Rutgers University - Newark | Newark, NJ |
| 58 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI |
Computer Information Systems by Region
View the Best Colleges for Computer Information Systems for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Computer Information Systems Related Rankings by Major
Computer Information Systems is one of 10 different types of Computer & Information Sciences programs to choose from.
Majors Similar to CIS
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | 47,906 |
| Information Technology | 33,399 |
| Information Science | 17,779 |
| Computer Systems Networking | 14,055 |
| Computer Software & Applications | 12,793 |
Notes and References
- The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
- 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 the rest 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.
Featured Schools
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Southern New Hampshire University
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Purdue University
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Grand Canyon University (GCU)
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Northcentral University
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Colorado Technical University (CTU)
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