[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 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 31 schools to find the best return on investment for general information science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for general information science in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $23,160. General Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for general information science. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $15,095. General Information Science graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
North Central Texas College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for general information science. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general information science will find it at University Of Houston Victoria, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Panola College came in at #6 for value in general information science this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #7 position for value in general information science this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $21,100. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #8 for value in general information science this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lamar University landed the #9 spot for general information science value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $26,988. General Information Science graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #10 position for value in general information science this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $21,255. General Information Science graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $46,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #12 for value in general information science this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,205 in student loans. Early-career general information science graduates make about $57,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Prairie View A And M University placed #13 among the best values for general information science. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $29,824 in student loans. General Information Science graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $26,375. Early-career general information science graduates make about $50,456. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #15 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $20,531. General Information Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $86,410 early in their careers. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $54,007. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #17 spot for general information science value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general information science program here. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Tarleton State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general information science schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the general information science program here. Early-career general information science graduates make about $69,819. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor landed the #19 spot for general information science value this year. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Typical student debt for general information science graduates is $26,782. Early-career general information science graduates make about $54,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Dallas Baptist University came in at #20 for value in general information science this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. General Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general information science degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Baylor University earned the #21 position for value in general information science this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the general information science program here. General Information Science graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
