[General Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/general-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general information science schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Lake Land College tops our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools in Illinois. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $7,500. Early-career general information science graduates make about $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at Oakton Community College, which ranked #4. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $14,538 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,651. Set against $14,538 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for general information science. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $44,923. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University earned the #7 position for value in general information science this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Bradley University placed #9 among the best values for general information science. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,950 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $58,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,950 median debt. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Northwestern University earned the #10 position for value in general information science this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $117,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University landed the #11 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $25,916. General Information Science graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $75,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
