[Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value information science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among information science schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,294 to complete the information science program here. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at North Carolina Central University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $31,173. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $55,592. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
More Information Science Rankings
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
