[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for information science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,629 to complete the information science program here. 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 Cincinnati Blue Ash College one of the best values for information science. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $13,125. Information Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $37,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at Zane State College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $7,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $29,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #4 place for information science. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $17,589 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $56,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,589 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wright State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for information science. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,836. Information Science graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #6 spot for information science value 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. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,731. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $64,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Gateway Community College came in at #7 for value in information science this year. Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public school located in the city of Steubenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,225, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $10,642. Early-career information science graduates make about $37,052. That is a strong return on a $10,642 median debt.
University Of Toledo placed #8 among the best values for information science. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for information science value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,564. Early-career information science graduates make about $60,359. Set against $25,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin University earned the #11 position for value in information science this year. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $9,577. Information Science graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Set against $35,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Information Science Rankings
View All Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
