[General Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/general-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 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.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general information science schools in Indiana. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $12,791. Early-career general information science graduates make about $50,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at Ball State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $24,518. Early-career general information science graduates make about $66,844. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,361 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $36,380. General Information Science graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology earn a median of $56,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana Institute Of Technology admits about 70% of applicants.
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus came in at #6 for value in general information science this year. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,176. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus generally make around $47,735. That is a strong return on a $24,787 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
