[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Western Iowa Tech Community College the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $23,745. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $43,253. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian Hills Community College earned it the #3 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,417 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $60,934. That is a strong return on a $12,417 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #4. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $40,873 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,753. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $40,200 early in their careers. Set against $16,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #6 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $17,399. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $66,093. That is a strong return on a $17,399 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #7 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,881. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #8 among the best values for computer & information sciences. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,043. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grinnell College landed the #10 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $84,449 early in their careers. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #11 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #12 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maharishi University Of Management earned the #13 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,530. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $114,993. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #14 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $24,444. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $60,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,444 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #15 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,200. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $65,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,200 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University placed #16 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $34,059. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $51,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Iowa ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $26,025 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $60,199 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Luther College earned the #18 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $63,760. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque placed #19 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,204. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $53,808. That is a strong return on a $27,204 median debt. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Cornell College came in at #20 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,545. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,528. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University landed the #22 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,281 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $69,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Morningside College came in at #23 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,281. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $54,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.
Wartburg College landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
More Computer & Information Sciences Rankings
View All Computer & Information Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
