
[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Montgomery College this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hagerstown Community College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $40,955 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,185 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $44,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,185 median debt.
Carroll Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $17,398. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $49,058. 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 College Of Southern Maryland, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $51,719. Set against $9,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chesapeake College placed #6 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,380. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $52,395. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.
Harford Community College earned the #7 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #9 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,749 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $36,590. Set against $18,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wor Wic Community College placed #10 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,995. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Wor Wic Community College generally make around $51,392. Set against $13,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard Community College came in at #11 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,599, while out-of-state students pay about $10,836. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,115 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
Cecil College came in at #12 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Cecil College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North East. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #13 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,090. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $88,971. That is a strong return on a $20,090 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Anne Arundel Community College placed #14 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $16,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Baltimore placed #15 among the best values for computer & information sciences. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,670 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $37,417 early in their careers. Set against $28,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #16 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,511 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $48,995 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore landed the #17 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Princess Anne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,076, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $38,293. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Morgan State University earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,750. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $66,755. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Baltimore City Community College landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,202 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Baltimore City Community College earn a median of $38,858 early in their careers. Set against $11,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Towson University came in at #20 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,673. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Towson University earn a median of $53,570 early in their careers. Set against $20,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Salisbury University earned the #21 position 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. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,618 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $59,707 early in their careers. Set against $24,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Frostburg State University landed the #22 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #23 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $123,580. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, compared with $31,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of $72,926 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Bowie State University earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $30,000. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $58,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.