[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general information science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Dearborn, our #1 best value for general information science in Michigan. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $101,914. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #3 place for general information science. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $31,875 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $44,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $20,875. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $81,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $66,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northwood University Michigan landed the #6 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the city of Midland, Northwood University Michigan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,400. Students borrow a median of $25,344 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $50,791. Set against $25,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
More General Information Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
