[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 107 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.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earned the #1 spot for value among information science schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,858 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $42,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $72,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,007 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $57,313. That is a strong return on a $27,007 median debt.
Northwest Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Information Science graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $58,512 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #6 for value in information science this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. 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. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #7 among 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $13,294. Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $72,104 early in their careers. Set against $13,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Bossier Parish Community College earned the #8 position for value in information science this year. Located in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,268 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,593. Early-career information science graduates make about $43,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #9 among the best values for information science. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #10 position for value in information science this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $22,868. Early-career information science graduates make about $50,547. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #11 spot for information science value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,488. Information Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $48,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Georgia placed #12 among the best values for information science. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,815 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $50,539. That is a strong return on a $20,815 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Clayton State University came in at #13 for value in information science this year. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $35,925. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $43,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $46,840. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home placed #15 among the best values for information science. Set in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Information Science graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $39,011. That is a strong return on a $18,097 median debt.
Valdosta State University came in at #16 for value in information science this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $51,888. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana landed the #17 spot for information science value this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $42,684. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $28,000. Information Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $48,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama landed the #19 spot for information science value this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #20 among the best values for information science. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $48,964 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama State University earned the #21 position for value in information science this year. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, compared with $19,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $31,993. Information Science graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of $30,651 early in their careers. Set against $31,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
George Mason University placed #22 among the best values for information science. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,750. Information Science graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $63,986 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky came in at #24 for value in information science this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $26,026. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,165. That is a strong return on a $26,026 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 107 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
