[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value information science schools.
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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.
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value information science schools in the United States. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $23,160. Early-career information science graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at University Of Houston Victoria, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,081. Information Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place for information science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $175,482 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $72,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University landed the #6 spot for information science value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among the best values for information science. 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. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,875. Information Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $73,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #8 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,294 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $68,374. That is a strong return on a $13,294 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #9 position for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $114,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $85,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. 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. Early-career information science graduates make about $101,914. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #12 among the best values for information science. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $93,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #13 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $48,254. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #14 for value in information science this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,205 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $57,756. Set against $20,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Wayne State University placed #15 among the best values for information science. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,778. Information Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $44,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Houston placed #17 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #18 for value in information science this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $22,868. Early-career information science graduates make about $50,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #19 for value in information science this year. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $5,673. Information Science graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #20 position for value in information science this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,147 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $100,801. That is a strong return on a $21,147 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #21 spot for information science value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,180. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $70,344. That is a strong return on a $20,180 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #22 for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $17,589. Information Science graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $56,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #23 for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,731 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $71,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $66,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah placed #25 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $93,745. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for information science this year:
Explore the best-value information science schools at other degree levels:
View All Information Science Rankings >
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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 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.
