[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 49 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.
Northeast Alabama Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools in Alabama. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $7,459. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,762. 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 Gadsden State Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,710. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Northwest Shoals Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $33,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
Bevill State Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,040. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Bevill State Community College generally make around $38,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bishop State Community College landed the #6 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. Students borrow a median of $13,712 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bishop State Community College earn a median of $35,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.
Snead State Community College came in at #7 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,278, while out-of-state students pay about $9,148. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,083 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College landed the #8 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,183.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Phenix City. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,204. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn a median of $53,099 early in their careers. Set against $13,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John C Calhoun State Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tanner. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,120, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,839 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson State Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,083. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $42,861 early in their careers. Set against $15,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Enterprise State Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $7,875. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $22,991. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Union State Community College placed #13 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Wadley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $8,874. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,555. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,385. Set against $11,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Alabama earned the #14 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $68,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Shelton State Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,127, while out-of-state students pay about $8,997. Students borrow a median of $10,688 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Shelton State Community College earn a median of $49,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,688 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #16 for value in computer & information sciences this year. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,146. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,017. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
Troy University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,437. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $58,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Alabama State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $31,993. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,651. That is a strong return on a $31,993 median debt. Alabama State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Central Alabama Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,110, with out-of-state students paying around $8,980. Students borrow a median of $12,939 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Alabama Community College earn a median of $42,166 early in their careers. Set against $12,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Auburn University At Montgomery placed #20 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $41,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $45,526. Set against $41,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Miles College placed #21 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Miles College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,314. Students borrow a median of $35,881 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Median earnings reach $32,627 ten years out. Set against $35,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alabama A And M University came in at #22 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $63,900. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University placed #23 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $23,578. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $62,795. That is a strong return on a $23,578 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Columbia Southern University landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,224. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $31,736. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $57,729. Set against $31,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Alabama placed #25 among the best values for computer & information sciences. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,087. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $47,911 early in their careers. Set against $27,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
More Computer & Information Sciences Rankings
View All Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
