[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for information science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Dearborn the best value for a degree in information science in Michigan. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $101,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for information science. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Information Science graduates carry a median of $31,875 in student loans. 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,875. Early-career information science graduates make about $81,201. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $66,967. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northwood University Michigan ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Midland, Northwood University Michigan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,400. Students borrow a median of $25,344 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Northwood University Michigan generally make around $50,791. That is a strong return on a $25,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
More 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
