[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools in the United States. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for general information science. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for general information science. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. 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 strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place for general information science. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $175,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for general information science. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $72,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University landed the #6 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $26,988. General Information Science graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 for value in general information science this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $73,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 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. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,294 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $68,374. That is a strong return on a $13,294 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #9 among the best values for general information science. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $114,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in general information science this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $85,634. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #11 spot for general information science value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $26,516. Early-career general information science graduates make about $101,914. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #12 among the best values for general information science. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $93,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Florida State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $48,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #14 spot for general information science value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,205 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $57,756. That is a strong return on a $20,205 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Wayne State University earned the #15 position for value in general information science this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $26,689. General Information Science graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #16 among the best values for general information science. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $44,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #19 among the best values for general information science. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $5,673. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Set against $5,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #20 among the best values for general information science. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, 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 $100,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #21 position for value in general information science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $20,180. General Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $70,344 early in their careers. Set against $20,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #22 for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Cleveland State University earned the #23 position for value in general information science this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,731 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $71,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #24 spot for general information science value this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $66,844. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #25 for value in general information science this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $93,745. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general information science:
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), 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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 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.
