[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 467 schools to find the best return on investment for information science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among information science schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $10,673 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $51,864. That is a strong return on a $10,673 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for information science. 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. Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for information science. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $50,133 early in their careers. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at Cuny New York City College Of Technology, which ranked #4. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,289 in student loans. 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Information Science graduates carry a median of $17,599 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $79,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,599 median debt.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #6 among the best values for information science. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $12,531. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $43,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $14,688. Early-career information science graduates make about $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $72,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #9 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Students borrow a median of $27,007 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $57,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,294 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $75,834. That is a strong return on a $13,294 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #11 spot for information science value this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Information Science graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #12 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,081. Information Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Florida landed the #14 spot for information science value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Information Science graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #15 position for value in information science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,538 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,538 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah landed the #16 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $70,833. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
San Jose State University landed the #17 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #18 for value in information science this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $31,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #19 position for value in information science this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $88,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #20 among the best values for information science. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside earned the #21 position for value in information science this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,417. Early-career information science graduates make about $76,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Georgia came in at #22 for value in information science this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,815. Information Science graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $50,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #23 among the best values for information science. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #24 position for value in information science this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $21,147. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $58,757. That is a strong return on a $21,147 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #25 spot for information science value this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $65,393. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for information science this year:
Explore the best-value information science schools at other degree levels:
View All Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 467 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 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.
