[General Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/general-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 9 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.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among general information science schools in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $17,629. Early-career general information science graduates make about $45,238. Set against $17,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #2 place for general information science. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $17,589 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $56,824 early in their careers. Set against $17,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Zane State College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $7,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $29,311. 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 Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,731 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $64,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,731 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned it the #5 place for general information science. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $13,125. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $37,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Toledo landed the #6 spot for general information science value this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,193 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $50,920. That is a strong return on a $25,193 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in general information science this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in general information science this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $25,564. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $60,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Franklin University placed #9 among the best values for general information science. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,577. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
