[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 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.
Our analysis ranked George C Wallace State Community College Dothan the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in Alabama. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. 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. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $34,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Alabama Community College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Snead State Community College earned it the #3 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,278, compared with $9,148 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,083. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Snead State Community College generally make around $40,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,312. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. Set against $13,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Gadsden State Community College, which ranked #5. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $34,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bevill State Community College came in at #6 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. Students from in state pay about $4,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,040 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,514. Set against $11,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson State Community College came in at #7 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,083 in student loans. 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.
John C Calhoun State Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,990. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,839 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J F Drake State Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $28,281 ten years after entry.
University Of North Alabama came in at #10 for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $68,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College earned the #11 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $32,183 ten years out.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,146. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $40,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $41,176 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $45,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma came in at #14 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $8,610. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Selma earn a median of $39,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
James H Faulkner State Community College landed the #15 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,326 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from James H Faulkner State Community College generally make around $52,231. Set against $14,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jacksonville State University landed the #16 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Students borrow a median of $23,578 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $62,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Miles College earned the #17 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Miles College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $35,881. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,627. Set against $35,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Southern University placed #18 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,736 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $57,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Alabama Community College earned the #19 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,980. Students borrow a median of $12,939 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $42,166. Set against $12,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Troy University placed #20 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,437 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Troy University earn a median of $58,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,437 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama A And M University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $63,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #22 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $70,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #23 for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $98,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $27,087 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $47,957. That is a strong return on a $27,087 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Montevallo ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Montevallo generally make around $36,673. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Montevallo admits about 54% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
