
[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 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value information science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Cuyahoga Community College District, our #1 best value for information science in Ohio. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $17,629. Information Science graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $45,238 early in their careers. Set against $17,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Akron Main Campus one of the best values for information science. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $17,589 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $56,824. Set against $17,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Zane State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Zane State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,766. Information Science graduates carry a median of $7,668 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $29,311 early in their careers. Set against $7,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,731 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $64,346. Set against $25,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College one of the best values for information science. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $37,961. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.
University Of Toledo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,193. Information Science graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $50,920 early in their careers. Set against $25,193 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in information science this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for information science. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,564 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,359 early in their careers. Set against $25,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin University landed the #9 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,577. Information Science graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. Set against $35,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Information Science Rankings
View All Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.