[General Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/general-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 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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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 George Mason University this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $23,529. General Information Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,025 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $80,173 early in their careers. Set against $21,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Commonwealth University earned it the #3 place for general information science. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $24,364. General Information Science graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $62,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Christopher Newport University earned it the #4 place for general information science. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $58,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
More General Information Science Rankings
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
