[General Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/general-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general information science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 208 schools to find the best return on investment for general information science students.
What’s on this page:
The right general information science school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Information Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Information Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among general information science schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,673 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $51,864. Set against $10,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #2. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $23,160. General Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #3 place for general information science. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $17,599 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $79,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,599 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $15,729. General Information Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $50,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,289 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $45,790. Set against $12,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Oakton Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $7,750. General Information Science graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Texas A And M International University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #9 for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,629 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $45,238 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,629 median debt.
Bunker Hill Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $11,893. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global placed #11 among the best values for general information science. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $36,778. Early-career general information science graduates make about $54,278. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #12 position for value in general information science this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,791 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $50,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,791 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College earned the #13 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $14,688. Early-career general information science graduates make about $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
North Central Texas College earned the #15 position for value in general information science this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #16 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,294 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $72,104. That is a strong return on a $13,294 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Niagara County Community College landed the #17 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,970 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #18 for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $72,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in general information science this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $8,942. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $38,906. That is a strong return on a $8,942 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #20 spot for general information science value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #22 among the best values for general information science. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $12,531 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $43,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #23 position for value in general information science this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $9,990. Early-career general information science graduates make about $35,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University came in at #24 for value in general information science this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #25 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $175,482. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for general information science this year:
Narrow General Information Science Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Information Science. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 208 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 208 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.
