by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/general-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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general computer & information sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer & information sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Grossmont College tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools in California. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Reedley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer & information sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Imperial Valley College earned it the #4 place for general computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Folsom Lake College one of the best values for general computer & information sciences. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
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Victor Valley College earned the #6 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Chabot College placed #7 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Porterville College earned the #8 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Porterville College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Porterville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $36,328 ten years out.
Mission College earned the #9 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College placed #10 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College earned the #12 position for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College landed the #13 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College came in at #14 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Diablo Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $9,205. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Contra Costa College landed the #16 spot for general computer & information sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of San Pablo, Contra Costa College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Contra Costa College earn a median of $65,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Cerro Coso Community College came in at #17 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Ridgecrest, Cerro Coso Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,254 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,963 ten years out.
Miracosta College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca placed #19 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,191, while out-of-state students pay about $10,935. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,540. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #20 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
East Los Angeles College came in at #21 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $8,180. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Irvine came in at #22 for value in general computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,550 to complete the general computer & information sciences program here. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $88,030. That is a strong return on a $13,550 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Cuesta College placed #24 among the best values for general computer & information sciences. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $18,958. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Davis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer & information sciences schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $14,282. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $84,343. Set against $14,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for general computer & information sciences this year:
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This list is compiled 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.