[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.
College Factual analyzed 140 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general information science schools.
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Featured General Information Science Programs
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AS in Information Technologies
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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.
For return on investment in general information science, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $10,673. General Information Science graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $51,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $12,289. General Information Science graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $45,790 early in their careers. Set against $12,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,688 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $8,942. General Information Science graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $38,906 early in their careers. Set against $8,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $50,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Monroe Community College placed #6 among the best values for general information science. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $12,921. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #7 among the best values for general information science. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $14,688. General Information Science graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #8 among the best values for general information science. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,531 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $43,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Niagara County Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $13,970. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College earned the #10 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $11,555 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $31,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College placed #11 among the best values for general information science. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 spot for general information science value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,180 in student loans. 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. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Rockland Community College came in at #13 for value in general information science this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. In-state tuition and fees average $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $41,799. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College placed #14 among the best values for general information science. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $13,949. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $8,764. General Information Science graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #16 for value in general information science this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $20,806 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $83,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,806 median debt.
Dutchess Community College earned the #17 position for value in general information science this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $11,836. Early-career general information science graduates make about $32,978. That is a strong return on a $11,836 median debt.
Fulton Montgomery Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,198 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,798 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Fulton Montgomery Community College earn a median of $38,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #19 for value in general information science this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $19,721 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $43,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware earned the #20 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $24,861. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome landed the #21 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,625, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. Students borrow a median of $21,056 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $54,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #22 for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $76,815 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
Salisbury University came in at #23 for value in general information science this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $23,250. General Information Science graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $61,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #24 among the best values for general information science. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $80,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $25,651. General Information Science graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $49,686 early in their careers. Set against $25,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general information science:
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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 · 140 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
