[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for computer & information sciences students.
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 Germanna Community College, our #1 best value for computer & information sciences in Virginia. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes John Tyler Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $8,250. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rappahannock Community College earned it the #3 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,997 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,398. That is a strong return on a $8,997 median debt.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,235. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $33,358 early in their careers. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,131. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #6 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,715. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #7 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,495. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $11,825 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $42,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $37,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #10 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College placed #11 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Virginia Highlands Community College generally make around $33,529. Set against $7,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,467 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $29,666. That is a strong return on a $7,467 median debt.
New River Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,892. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #14 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Virginia Community College landed the #15 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $32,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College placed #16 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,243. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $45,084. That is a strong return on a $11,243 median debt.
Danville Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Old Dominion University placed #18 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,053 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $65,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,036. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Mountain Empire Community College generally make around $36,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University placed #20 among the best values for computer & information sciences. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $108,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Radford University earned the #21 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,000. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Radford University earn a median of $65,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
College Of William And Mary landed the #22 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $19,794. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $84,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,794 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #23 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,020. Set against $11,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norfolk State University landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $59,924 early in their careers. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Virginia State University landed the #25 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,043 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for computer & information sciences this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
