[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer & information sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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.
Leading the list is Western Dakota Technical Institute, our #1 best value for computer & information sciences in South Dakota. Located in the city of Rapid City, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,049 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Western Dakota Technical Institute generally make around $40,418. Set against $20,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Technical Institute earned it the #2 place for computer & information sciences. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $46,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Area Technical Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,718. Students borrow a median of $12,458 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $43,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,748 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $73,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $51,566. Set against $26,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #6 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $78,193. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Dakota State University landed the #7 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $24,841. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Dakota State University generally make around $60,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #8 spot for computer & information sciences value this year. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. Set against $26,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College South Dakota admits about 68% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
