[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 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.
Our analysis ranked St Charles Community College the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,038 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,038 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for computer & information sciences. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,991. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $37,531. Set against $12,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $38,235. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Crowder College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $32,289. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Jefferson College came in at #6 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University placed #7 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $74,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #8 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $22,241. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $39,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $24,967. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $58,578 early in their careers. Set against $24,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #10 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $21,797. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $65,328 early in their careers. Set against $21,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri Western State University earned the #11 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $41,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #12 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,736 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $72,810 early in their careers. Set against $24,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Linn State Technical College came in at #13 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $11,545. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $41,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #14 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,699 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $59,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,976 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $64,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #16 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $76,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Avila University landed the #17 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $29,750. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $51,234. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #18 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,629. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #19 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,370 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $56,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,370 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Ranken Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,008. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Ranken Technical College generally make around $43,573. Set against $13,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #21 for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $21,000. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $72,886. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Lindenwood University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $29,203. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $64,378. That is a strong return on a $29,203 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Washington University In St Louis placed #23 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $105,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Park University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $22,504. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $59,695. That is a strong return on a $22,504 median debt.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #25 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $24,499. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $75,810. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
