[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.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value information science schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in information science, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,673 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $51,864. Set against $10,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $49,688. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $15,729. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $50,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $12,289. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $45,790. That is a strong return on a $12,289 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #5 place for information science. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $14,688. Early-career information science graduates make about $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $12,531 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $43,434. Set against $12,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Niagara County Community College placed #7 among the best values for information science. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $13,970. Early-career information science graduates make about $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in information science this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Information Science graduates carry a median of $8,942 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $38,906. That is a strong return on a $8,942 median debt.
Onondaga Community College earned the #9 position for value in information science this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,555 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $31,342. That is a strong return on a $11,555 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #10 among the best values for information science. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Broome Community College landed the #11 spot for information science value this year. Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Binghamton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $16,830 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Broome Community College generally make around $41,560. Set against $16,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College earned the #12 position for value in information science this year. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $41,799. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #13 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,651. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $49,686. That is a strong return on a $25,651 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome placed #14 among the best values for information science. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,056 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $54,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Mercy College earned the #15 position for value in information science this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #16 spot for information science value this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $27,000. Information Science graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $50,862 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University placed #17 among the best values for information science. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $68,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $42,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #19 for value in information science this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #20 spot for information science value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #21 position for value in information science this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,691. Early-career information science graduates make about $51,766. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne College earned the #22 position for value in information science this year. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,330. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $57,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Pace University New York placed #23 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,656 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $64,944 early in their careers. Set against $25,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Adelphi University landed the #24 spot for information science value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,487. Early-career information science graduates make about $51,037. That is a strong return on a $25,487 median debt. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for information science this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
