[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for computer & information sciences students.
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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.
Riverland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among computer & information sciences schools in Minnesota. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,732. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hennepin Technical College earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Students borrow a median of $20,998 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $46,775 early in their careers. Set against $20,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ridgewater College earned it the #4 place for computer & information sciences. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $48,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Morris ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $55,441. That is a strong return on a $19,993 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $25,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Century College earned the #8 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $47,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #9 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $16,065 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #10 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,751. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $52,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College placed #11 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,708 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Set against $15,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #12 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,000. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,836 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #13 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,054 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,706. Set against $14,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota County Technical College came in at #14 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $15,327. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $49,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #15 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,292 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $57,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #16 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,519 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $45,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd earned the #17 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,479 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. Set against $14,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,291. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #19 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,367 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $76,843. Set against $20,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #20 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,016. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior College landed the #21 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $16,750. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,549. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bemidji State University landed the #22 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Anoka Ramsey Community College earned the #23 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $22,593. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan State University came in at #24 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Students borrow a median of $35,281 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $56,880. That is a strong return on a $35,281 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Anoka Technical College earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $18,408. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,529. Set against $18,408 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
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
