[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 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.
Trident Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among computer & information sciences schools in South Carolina. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,825. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $14,013. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $44,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Tri County Technical College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,787 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $34,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,787 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York Technical College came in at #6 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $25,534. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aiken Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,174, with out-of-state students paying around $7,924. Students borrow a median of $17,884 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Aiken Technical College generally make around $51,894. That is a strong return on a $17,884 median debt.
Central Carolina Technical College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,715, with out-of-state students paying around $9,016. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Central Carolina Technical College generally make around $40,598. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry came in at #9 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $17,110. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Technical College Of The Lowcountry earn a median of $44,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenville Technical College placed #10 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,495 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $39,062. Set against $21,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #11 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $39,702. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
University Of South Carolina Aiken placed #12 among the best values for computer & information sciences. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. In-state tuition and fees average $10,760, compared with $21,218 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,011 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $42,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,011 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #13 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,583 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $61,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Technical College came in at #14 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,652 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $36,577. That is a strong return on a $17,652 median debt.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #15 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,989. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #16 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $28,279. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,525. That is a strong return on a $28,279 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort earned the #17 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,730, while out-of-state students pay about $21,776. Students borrow a median of $27,971 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $38,254 early in their careers. Set against $27,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,040 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $64,302. Set against $27,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,064. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Lander University earn a median of $59,232 early in their careers. Set against $26,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston came in at #20 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,054 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $58,590. Set against $24,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Benedict College earned the #21 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $17,748. Students borrow a median of $37,311 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $25,769. Set against $37,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
South Carolina State University came in at #22 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,060, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from South Carolina State University generally make around $30,082. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $40,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #24 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $71,213 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Clemson University earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $22,592. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $73,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,592 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% 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), 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
