[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for computer & information sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in computer & information sciences, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Montgomery College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Carroll Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $18,749. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $36,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,749 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Hagerstown Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,000. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,955. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Chesapeake College earned the #6 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. In-state tuition and fees average $4,274, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $52,395. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.
College Of Southern Maryland landed the #7 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Students borrow a median of $9,728 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $51,719. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #8 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $8,400 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Wor Wic Community College generally make around $51,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baltimore City Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,314 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,202. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,858. That is a strong return on a $11,202 median debt.
Harford Community College earned the #10 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,624. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $50,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College placed #11 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,185. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard Community College came in at #12 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Howard Community College is a large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,836. Students borrow a median of $18,115 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $56,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cecil College placed #13 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Cecil College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North East. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Median earnings reach $43,952 ten years out.
University Of Maryland University College earned the #14 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Students borrow a median of $20,277 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $85,159. Set against $20,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #15 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,090. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $89,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Morgan State University came in at #16 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $66,692. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Anne Arundel Community College placed #17 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Students borrow a median of $16,926 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $59,894. That is a strong return on a $16,926 median debt.
Frostburg State University earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $46,245 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Salisbury University came in at #19 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $24,618. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $59,744. That is a strong return on a $24,618 median debt. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Towson University landed the #20 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,673. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Towson University earn a median of $53,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #21 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $123,536. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore came in at #22 for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,670 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $37,417. That is a strong return on a $28,670 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,511 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $53,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Strayer University Maryland earned the #24 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Strayer University Maryland is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Suitland. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Students borrow a median of $37,911 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Strayer University Maryland generally make around $70,476. Set against $37,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Marys College Of Maryland earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of $72,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
