[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.
For its 2026 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.
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for information science in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $17,599 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $79,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,041 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $82,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Colorado State University Pueblo one of the best values for information science. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,800 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $44,712 early in their careers. Set against $23,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at The University Of Montana, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $42,654. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado Denver earned it the #5 place for information science. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $93,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $82,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $55,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Denver landed the #8 spot for information science value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $56,999. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
