[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 70 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.
Leading the list is Walters State Community College, our #1 best value for computer & information sciences in Tennessee. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,210. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Pellissippi State Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $44,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Nashville State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $42,160. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Southwest Tennessee Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Students borrow a median of $11,406 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $33,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,406 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Columbia State Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,674. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,674 median debt.
Northeast State Community College landed the #6 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,782, with out-of-state students paying around $17,766. Students borrow a median of $6,404 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $27,882. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Chattanooga State Community College placed #7 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $41,400. Set against $16,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College landed the #8 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State Community College placed #9 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,742. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $40,513 early in their careers. Set against $8,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson State Community College earned the #10 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,740 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,553 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $30,258 early in their careers. Set against $8,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hartsville came in at #11 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Hartsville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hartsville is a small public university. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $5,846. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Christian Brothers University came in at #12 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Volunteer State Community College landed the #13 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,745. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $35,042. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Motlow State Community College came in at #14 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,722. Students borrow a median of $6,470 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Motlow State Community College generally make around $43,750. Set against $6,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Shelbyville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville is a small public institution. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,529.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #16 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $46,710. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $82,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of McMinnville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville is a small public university. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville earn a median of $40,469 early in their careers.
University Of Memphis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $24,672 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $86,226. That is a strong return on a $24,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro earned the #20 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $10,723 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro generally make around $37,744. Set against $10,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee State University landed the #21 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $27,724 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,628 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,724 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $18,605. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $63,180. That is a strong return on a $18,605 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #23 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $25,125. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $68,076 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Jacksboro, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro is a small public university. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $7,439. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro generally make around $28,604. That is a strong return on a $7,439 median debt.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,920 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $59,514 early in their careers. Set against $24,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
