[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 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.
Our analysis ranked Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in Kentucky. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $7,189. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $27,297. 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 Hazard Community And Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,212 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Owensboro Community And Technical College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,098. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Berea College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $35,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Somerset Community College earned it the #5 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,168. That is a strong return on a $8,950 median debt.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #6 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,687. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $35,946. That is a strong return on a $9,687 median debt.
Hopkinsville Community College landed the #7 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hopkinsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,269 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $43,678 early in their careers. Set against $13,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashland Community And Technical College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Ashland Community And Technical College generally make around $37,826. That is a strong return on a $13,485 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #9 for value in computer & information sciences this year. West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Paducah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from West Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $38,782. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,500. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,731. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $11,588 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $33,956. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt.
Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #12 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,182 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $47,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henderson Community College earned the #13 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,528. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $40,259. Set against $13,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College came in at #14 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Elizabethtown. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $15,034 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,486. Set against $15,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madisonville Community College landed the #15 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,757. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,173. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $37,935. Set against $15,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #17 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,054 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $62,382. That is a strong return on a $25,054 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Jefferson Community And Technical College landed the #18 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,389. That is a strong return on a $14,596 median debt.
Murray State University placed #19 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $36,938. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #20 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,145 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $39,867. Set against $25,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Kentucky State University placed #21 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,387 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $29,774. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $28,497. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #22 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $23,951. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $40,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #23 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,863. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Morehead State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,896 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $41,046. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Lindsey Wilson College landed the #25 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,808. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
