[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 467 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general information science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general information science, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. General Information Science graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $51,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,673 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $49,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for general information science. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $50,133. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $45,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for general information science. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $17,599. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $79,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #6 among the best values for general information science. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,531 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #7 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,007 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $57,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #10 for value in general information science this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,294 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $75,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #11 spot for general information science value this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-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. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #13 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #14 position for value in general information science this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $18,523. Early-career general information science graduates make about $49,208. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,538 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Utah came in at #16 for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $24,041. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $70,833. Set against $24,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #17 among the best values for general information science. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #18 for value in general information science this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #19 spot for general information science value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $88,515. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $24,977. General Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California Riverside placed #21 among the best values for general information science. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $24,417. Early-career general information science graduates make about $76,090. Set against $24,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Georgia came in at #22 for value in general information science this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,815 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $50,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $23,796. General Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #24 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $21,147. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $58,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #25 spot for general information science value this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $65,393. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general information science value ranking:
Explore the best-value general information science schools at other degree levels:
View All General Information Science Rankings >
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 · 467 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 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.
