[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2622 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer & information sciences students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in computer & information sciences, no school beat Durham Technical Community College this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $45,847. Set against $9,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $15,590 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $47,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,590 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $10,456 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,456 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at De Anza College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College placed #6 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,964. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $51,182. Set against $20,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College placed #7 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,098. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
College Of San Mateo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College placed #10 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $14,405. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $41,752. That is a strong return on a $14,405 median debt.
Oxnard College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Lorain County Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $40,794. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Skyline College landed the #14 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #15 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,052. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $26,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College came in at #16 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College placed #17 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $35,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #20 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #21 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #22 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $14,340. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $48,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #23 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Lake Land College earned the #24 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #25 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer & information sciences value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Computer & Information Sciences rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 2622 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 247 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.
