[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 172 schools to find the best return on investment for computer & information sciences students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in computer & information sciences, no school beat College Of The Mainland this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,928. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $24,095. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,536. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes El Centro College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $16,197 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $47,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,197 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Tarrant County College District, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $12,867 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,000. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $35,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,967 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $33,522. That is a strong return on a $6,967 median debt.
Texas A And M International University came in at #7 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Victoria College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,910. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $50,201. Set against $10,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College came in at #9 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #10 for value in computer & information sciences this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #11 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,732. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $49,198. That is a strong return on a $16,732 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange placed #12 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College earned the #13 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,189 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $29,349 early in their careers. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #14 for value in computer & information sciences this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Amarillo College earned the #15 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $11,884 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #16 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $9,188. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $34,156. Set against $9,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #17 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,916. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $40,554 early in their careers. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Clovis Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Students borrow a median of $11,082 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College earned the #20 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $6,625. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #21 for value in computer & information sciences this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College earned the #22 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,756 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $40,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $48,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $18,862. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $42,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,862 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 172 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 172 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.
