[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 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.
Bismarck State College tops our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools in North Dakota. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Students borrow a median of $19,101 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. 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 North Dakota State College Of Science, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Students borrow a median of $15,706 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,989. Set against $15,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,959 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $60,426. That is a strong return on a $25,959 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Dakota one of the best values for computer & information sciences. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,662 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,662 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
