[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) 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 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for information science students.
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Featured 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 information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of California Riverside tops our 2026 list of the best value information science schools in California. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,417. Information Science graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $76,090 early in their careers. Set against $24,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #2 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $14,238. Information Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $175,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California Lutheran University one of the best values for information science. Located in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $22,727. Information Science graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $53,271 early in their careers. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Lutheran University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Southern California is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
