[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 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.
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in general information science in Kentucky. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $58,512. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of The Cumberlands one of the best values for general information science. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $22,868. Early-career general information science graduates make about $50,547. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kentucky earned it the #3 place for general information science. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $26,026. General Information Science graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
