[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for computer & information sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Colorado Mountain College earned the #1 spot for value among computer & information sciences schools in Colorado. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Community College Of Aurora, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,365. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,587. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
Aims Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,199. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. That is a strong return on a $11,199 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Denver earned it the #5 place for computer & information sciences. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College placed #6 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #7 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,448 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $47,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,448 median debt.
Front Range Community College came in at #8 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $19,390. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $49,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pueblo Community College placed #9 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Pueblo. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,106 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $42,377. That is a strong return on a $14,106 median debt.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #10 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $23,800. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Colorado State University Global Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000. Students borrow a median of $29,602 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $74,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #12 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,736 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $73,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Emily Griffith Technical College came in at #13 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Emily Griffith Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Denver. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,725 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Emily Griffith Technical College earn a median of $42,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $35,960 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs earn a median of $72,162 early in their careers. Set against $35,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College landed the #15 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $65,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #16 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,514. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $65,917. That is a strong return on a $26,514 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Western State College Of Colorado placed #17 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,455 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $36,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College came in at #18 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,888 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,676. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #19 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $75,561. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,297 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $78,886. That is a strong return on a $23,297 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $19,974. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $77,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Intellitec College Grand Junction landed the #22 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Intellitec College Grand Junction is a small private for-profit institution. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Intellitec College Grand Junction generally make around $27,510. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.
Regis University landed the #23 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $30,389. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Regis University earn a median of $100,253 early in their careers. Set against $30,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Intellitec College Colorado Springs landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Intellitec College Colorado Springs is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,856. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Intellitec College Colorado Springs earn a median of $27,810 early in their careers. Set against $15,856 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Christian University earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Students borrow a median of $35,886 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $75,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer & information sciences this year:
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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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
