[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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.
University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #1 spot for value among information science schools in South Carolina. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $28,000. 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.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Students borrow a median of $20,336 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,336 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Charleston one of the best values for information science. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $22,591. Information Science graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $63,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Clemson University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value information science schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,964. Early-career information science graduates make about $76,549. Set against $25,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at University Of South Carolina Columbia, which ranked #5. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $24,537. Information Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Furman University placed #6 among the best values for information science. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. Set against $23,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
More Information Science Rankings
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
