[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 222 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.
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,995. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Macomb Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Lorain County Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $17,611. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $14,603. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #7 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #8 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $17,020. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,127. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage earned the #9 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,032 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College placed #10 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #11 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,629 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $34,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,629 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #12 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,534. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
Oakton Community College came in at #13 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Spoon River College placed #14 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Elgin Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Delta College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,816 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $45,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College landed the #18 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College earned the #20 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #21 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,198. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.
Monroe County Community College came in at #22 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,759, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,031 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $47,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College landed the #23 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,283. That is a strong return on a $15,677 median debt.
College Of Lake County placed #25 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,785. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 222 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 222 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.
