[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 73 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Durham Technical Community College the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in North Carolina. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,938 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,456. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,456 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #4 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Cleveland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edgecombe Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $22,153. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College landed the #7 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $5,500. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockingham Community College landed the #8 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,556, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,000. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $68,517. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College came in at #10 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilson Community College came in at #11 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilson. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,846. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $47,329. That is a strong return on a $15,846 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,278. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Sampson Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #14 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #15 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $32,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College placed #16 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Nash Community College placed #17 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,969. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,512. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Lenoir Community College placed #18 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,736. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College came in at #19 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College came in at #20 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,537. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richmond Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,407. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,757. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
Stanly Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #23 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,708. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Community College earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,651, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,450. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
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), 2027 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.
