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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for general computer & information sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general computer & information sciences, no school beat Arizona Western College this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $44,895.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Gateway Community College Phoenix, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,736 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $15,312. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $71,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in general computer & information sciences will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. General Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer & information sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $73,057. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Canyon University earned it the #5 place for general computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for general computer & information sciences graduates is $29,750. Early-career general computer & information sciences graduates make about $78,393. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.