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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Information Science Associate’s Degree Schools

15 Colleges in the United States
$14,631 Avg Student Debt
$44,666 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Information Science Associate's Degree Badge [General Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/general-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general information science education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 467 schools to find the best return on investment for general information science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Information Science Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general information science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Information Science Schools

1
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College tops our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools in the United States. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

2

Hudson Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $8,942. General Information Science graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $38,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,942 median debt.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #3 place for general information science. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $17,629. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $45,238. Set against $17,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,475 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $54,649 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,475 median debt.

5

Monroe Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.

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6

Bunker Hill Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

North Central Texas College earned the #7 position for value in general information science this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $12,000. Early-career general information science graduates make about $43,536. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Niagara County Community College came in at #8 for value in general information science this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,200. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $19,858 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Onondaga Community College earned the #10 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $11,555. General Information Science graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $31,342 early in their careers. Set against $11,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Bucks County Community College earned the #11 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $13,068. Early-career general information science graduates make about $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Rockland Community College landed the #12 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $11,167. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $41,799. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.

13
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $21,332. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.

14

Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #14 for value in general information science this year. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $9,990. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.

15

Prince Georges Community College placed #15 among the best values for general information science. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $13,949. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.

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Suny Westchester Community College placed #16 among the best values for general information science. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned the #17 position for value in general information science this year. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $13,125. General Information Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $37,961 early in their careers. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Dutchess Community College landed the #18 spot for general information science value this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $5,670, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,836 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $32,978 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,836 median debt.

19

Fulton Montgomery Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,198, with out-of-state students paying around $6,798. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Fulton Montgomery Community College earn a median of $38,591 early in their careers. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Bossier Parish Community College came in at #20 for value in general information science this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,268. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $20,593. General Information Science graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $43,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Zane State College crest
Zane State College
Zanesville, OH

Zane State College earned the #21 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $7,668. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $29,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Clayton State University earned the #22 position for value in general information science this year. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Students borrow a median of $35,925 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $43,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,925 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

23

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #23 among the best values for general information science. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $19,721. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $43,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

24

University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #24 for value in general information science this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $17,355. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $52,706. Set against $17,355 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.

25

Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama came in at #25 for value in general information science this year. Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama is a small public school located in the city of Guayama. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,608. Median earnings reach $26,293 ten years out. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 27 Best Value General Information Science Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general information science this year:

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27
Iti Technical College crest
Iti Technical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Other General Information Science Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general information science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Information Science
Bachelor's Degrees in General Information Science
Master's Degrees in General Information Science
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View All General Information Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 467 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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