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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Informatics Associate’s Degree Schools

2 Colleges in the United States
$17,951 Avg Student Debt
$49,392 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Informatics Associate's Degree Badge [Informatics](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/informatics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 85 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for informatics students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Informatics Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in informatics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Informatics Schools

1

For return on investment in informatics, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,340 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $48,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values for informatics. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $12,000. Early-career informatics graduates make about $37,509. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

3
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value informatics schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,567 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $41,560. Set against $12,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in informatics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $23,849 to complete the informatics program here. Soon after graduation, informatics degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $48,236. That is a strong return on a $23,849 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in informatics will find it at Pennsylvania State University World Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for informatics. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for informatics graduates is $27,000. Early-career informatics graduates make about $71,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

Other Informatics Degree Levels

Explore the best-value informatics schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Informatics
Bachelor's Degrees in Informatics
Master's Degrees in Informatics
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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 · 85 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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