[General Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/general-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 75 schools to find the best return on investment for general information science students.
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Featured General Information Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Lake Land College tops our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #3 place for general information science. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $17,629 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $45,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakton Community College earned it the #4 place for general information science. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for general information science. 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. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $12,791. Early-career general information science graduates make about $50,732. That is a strong return on a $12,791 median debt.
Shawnee Community College placed #6 among the best values for general information science. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $39,601. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for general information science. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #8 among the best values for general information science. 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, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $37,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #9 among the best values for general information science. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $101,914. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $14,538 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $58,651. That is a strong return on a $14,538 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #11 spot for general information science value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $81,201 early in their careers. Set against $20,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Purdue University Global ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $36,778. Early-career general information science graduates make about $54,278. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne State University came in at #13 for value in general information science this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Zane State College placed #14 among the best values for general information science. Zane State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,766. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $7,668 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $29,311 early in their careers. Set against $7,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for general information science value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $44,923 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #16 among the best values for general information science. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $31,875 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $44,184. That is a strong return on a $31,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Saint Xavier University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $17,589. General Information Science graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $56,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #19 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $24,477. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $41,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #20 among the best values for general information science. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $25,836. Early-career general information science graduates make about $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University placed #22 among the best values for general information science. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $24,518. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $66,844. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #23 spot for general information science value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,731 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $64,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #24 position for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $51,582. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #25 for value in general information science this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $66,967. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for general information science this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
