[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.
College Factual analyzed 146 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer & information sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
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 Middlesex Community College Bedford this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Essex Community College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Capital Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. 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 Bunker Hill Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $39,007 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Williams College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,208 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Williams College earn a median of $110,814 early in their careers. Set against $12,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,008. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Shore Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $14,145. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $51,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College came in at #8 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,780 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College placed #9 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,700 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harvard University landed the #10 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $158,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Massasoit Community College earned the #11 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,894 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $33,781. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Eastern Maine Community College placed #13 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $52,263. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $18,235 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $21,803 early in their careers. Set against $18,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College landed the #15 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $7,930. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $25,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester placed #16 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,838, with out-of-state students paying around $36,418. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,974. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire At Manchester generally make around $74,998. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester admits about 81% of applicants.
Central Maine Community College placed #17 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Students borrow a median of $14,700 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $31,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,700 median debt.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $41,813. Set against $16,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #19 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $23,211 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $64,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Fitchburg State University landed the #20 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,875. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $47,508 early in their careers. Set against $27,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Cape Cod Community College came in at #21 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,000, while out-of-state students pay about $10,944. Students borrow a median of $14,669 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $47,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,669 median debt.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #22 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,908 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $58,019. Set against $24,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College came in at #23 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $100,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Worcester State University earned the #24 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $54,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Quincy College placed #25 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,938. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,600. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. Set against $15,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer & information sciences value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 146 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
