[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 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.
Pima Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $35,786. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Yavapai College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Central Arizona College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,635. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cochise College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,679. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,564. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College earned the #6 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Phoenix College landed the #7 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
South Mountain Community College came in at #9 for value in computer & information sciences this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #10 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #11 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coconino Community College earned the #12 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,907 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,987. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,011. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $39,850. Set against $16,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community College Phoenix ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,736 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,350. Set against $15,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College came in at #14 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $13,750. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University earned the #15 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $65,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Paradise Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #17 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $33,775. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $59,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,039. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Northern Arizona University landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $74,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
American Intercontinental University Online placed #20 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. Students borrow a median of $45,606 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $58,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $45,606 median debt.
University Of Arizona landed the #21 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $24,627 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $70,130. Set against $24,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Advancing Technology came in at #22 for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $18,800. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $30,562. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $38,576. That is a strong return on a $30,562 median debt. University Of Advancing Technology admits about 98% of applicants.
Bryan University Los Angeles ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,219 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bryan University Los Angeles earn a median of $31,425 early in their careers. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Canyon University landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,226 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $77,758 early in their careers. Set against $28,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #25 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. In-state tuition and fees average $43,974. Students borrow a median of $24,707 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $64,690 early in their careers. Set against $24,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
