[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 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.
Lake Area Technical Institute tops our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools in South Dakota. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $12,458. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $43,424. That is a strong return on a $12,458 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Western Dakota Technical Institute one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Rapid City, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,049. 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.
Students looking for strong value in computer & information sciences will find it at Southeast Technical Institute, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,650. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Southeast Technical Institute generally make around $46,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Dakota State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $73,770. That is a strong return on a $22,748 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Dakota earned it the #5 place for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $26,322. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $51,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Dakota State University placed #6 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madison. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $24,841. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $60,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dakota State University admits about 88% of applicants.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #7 for value in computer & information sciences this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $27,000. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $78,193 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
