Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
John Tyler Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. 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 J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,131. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lord Fairfax Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Germanna Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. 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. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Wytheville Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $40,973. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,384. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #7 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rappahannock Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenns. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Rappahannock Community College earn a median of $43,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. 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. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $42,213 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,825 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College placed #10 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,495. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Tidewater Community College landed the #12 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $11,243 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. 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.
New River Community College landed the #13 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,132. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $46,892. Set against $13,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College came in at #14 for value in computer & information sciences this year. 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, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,922. That is a strong return on a $9,494 median debt.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $7,467. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $29,666. Set against $7,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University earned the #16 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $107,895. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,053. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $65,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mountain Empire Community College placed #18 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $40,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $19,194. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $83,801 early in their careers. Set against $19,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #21 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norfolk State University came in at #22 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $59,924. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Virginia State University landed the #23 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Radford University earned the #24 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $62,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University landed the #25 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $57,169. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
