[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for information science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bunker Hill Community College earned the #1 spot for value among information science schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Connecticut State University earned it the #2 place for information science. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $60,151. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,381 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $52,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,381 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,767. Information Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $60,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Boston earned it the #5 place for information science. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #6 among the best values for information science. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $104,702. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Norwich University came in at #8 for value in information science this year. Norwich University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,740. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Norwich University earn a median of $108,619 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants.
Suffolk University came in at #9 for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,550. Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $56,780 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Wentworth Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,884. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $26,417. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Wentworth Institute Of Technology generally make around $72,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Merrimack College earned the #11 position for value in information science this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
