[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value information science schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of South Florida Main Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value information science schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $72,247. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at Northwest Mississippi Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Information Science graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $35,001. Set against $9,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,007 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $57,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for information science. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for information science. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,294 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $72,104. Set against $13,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Ozarka College came in at #6 for value in information science this year. Ozarka College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $48,116. That is a strong return on a $11,778 median debt.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University landed the #7 spot for information science value this year. Located in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,200. Information Science graduates carry a median of $19,858 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in information science this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $58,512. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #9 for value in information science this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $20,815 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $50,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University placed #10 among the best values for information science. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Students borrow a median of $35,925 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $43,702. Set against $35,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #11 for value in information science this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $48,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,977. Early-career information science graduates make about $42,595. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bossier Parish Community College placed #13 among the best values for information science. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,268. Students borrow a median of $20,593 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $43,661 early in their careers. Set against $20,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valdosta State University placed #14 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $51,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #15 position for value in information science this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $50,547. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #16 position for value in information science this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Information Science graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $48,664. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
George Mason University landed the #17 spot for information science value this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $20,336 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $31,322. Set against $20,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University earned the #19 position for value in information science this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $45,361 early in their careers. Set against $24,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University placed #20 among the best values for information science. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $63,986. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana landed the #21 spot for information science value this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $42,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #22 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,000. Information Science graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $48,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Southern University At New Orleans earned the #23 position for value in information science this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054, compared with $16,954 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $48,451. Early-career information science graduates make about $37,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
North Carolina Central University placed #24 among the best values for information science. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $55,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Students borrow a median of $30,550 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $56,344. Set against $30,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for information science this year:
Narrow Information Science Schools by State
More Information Science Rankings
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
