[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 99 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer & information sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Durham Technical Community College, our #1 best value for computer & information sciences in North Carolina. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,938 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,407. That is a strong return on a $9,938 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,456. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,854. Set against $10,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville Technical Community College earned it the #4 place for computer & information sciences. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $32,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #5 place for computer & information sciences. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College placed #7 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,490. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockingham Community College came in at #9 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $5,500. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $50,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Sampson Community College placed #10 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
South Piedmont Community College earned the #11 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $39,321. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College placed #12 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Haywood Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clyde. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #13 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College earned the #14 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,512. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #16 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,609 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,853. That is a strong return on a $8,609 median debt.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville earned the #17 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,600, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeastern Community College Whiteville generally make around $65,328. That is a strong return on a $10,188 median debt.
Surry Community College placed #18 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,537. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,537 median debt.
Halifax Community College came in at #19 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,608, with out-of-state students paying around $8,752. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $70,982.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #21 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,418. That is a strong return on a $13,708 median debt.
Lenoir Community College earned the #22 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #23 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,009. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College came in at #24 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,162. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,837 early in their careers. Set against $13,162 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. 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
