[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 124 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value information science schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in information science 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. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $10,673. 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. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $17,599 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $79,918. Set against $17,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for information science. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $15,729. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $50,133. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Students borrow a median of $12,289 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $45,790. Set against $12,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #6 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,294 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $75,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $72,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #9 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #10 spot for information science value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #11 position for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $12,531 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $43,434 early in their careers. Set against $12,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #12 spot for information science value this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $101,914. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 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. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $88,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #14 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. 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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Purdue University Global earned the #15 position for value in information science this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #16 for value in information science this year. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $27,007 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #17 among the best values for information science. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $18,660. Early-career information science graduates make about $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Florida landed the #18 spot for information science value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $49,208. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $31,875. Information Science graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $44,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,875 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #20 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia landed the #21 spot for information science value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,815 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $50,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Wayne State University placed #22 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #23 for value in information science this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #24 among the best values for information science. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $31,390. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the information science program here. 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. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for information science this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Information Science rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 124 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 124 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.
