[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in information science, no school beat Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $66,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dunmore, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,208, while out-of-state students pay about $25,392. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,394. Early-career information science graduates make about $58,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown one of the best values for information science. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $59,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Lehigh Valley earned it the #4 place for information science. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Lehigh Valley is a small public school located in the suburb of Center Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $26,000. Early-career information science graduates make about $66,209. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Lehigh Valley admits about 97% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $34,772. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #6 spot for information science value this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Students borrow a median of $25,394 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $82,270. Set against $25,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in information science this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $49,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Robert Morris University earned the #8 position for value in information science this year. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $62,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #9 for value in information science this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $97,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #10 among the best values for information science. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $72,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,187. Information Science graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $93,972 early in their careers. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Drexel University came in at #12 for value in information science this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $79,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
