[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 5 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.
For return on investment in computer & information sciences, no school beat Bismarck State College this year. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $19,101. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $61,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minot State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,959 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,426 early in their careers. Set against $25,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Mary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #5 place for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,662 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,948. Set against $25,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
