[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.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer & information sciences schools.
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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 Indian Hills Community College the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in Iowa. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,417 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $60,852. That is a strong return on a $12,417 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $23,745. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,753 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $39,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,753 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Iowa Community College District one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,995. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $40,873. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $17,399 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $66,093 early in their careers. Set against $17,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #7 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,153. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Grinnell College landed the #8 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,375. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $84,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,126. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,444 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $60,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #11 among the best values for computer & information sciences. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,200 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $65,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Maharishi University Of Management came in at #12 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Iowa landed the #13 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,025 in student loans. 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson College placed #14 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $70,950. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,918. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. Wartburg College admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University placed #16 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,528. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $57,252. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University placed #17 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. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $34,059. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $51,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Cornell College came in at #18 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Drake University landed the #19 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $21,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
