[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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Featured General Information Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AS in Information Technologies
Gain the specialized knowledge and critical-thinking skills required to begin a career in tech with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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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.
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.
