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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Information Science Master’s Degree Schools

73 Colleges in the United States
$25,209 Avg Student Debt
$63,809 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Information Science Master's Degree Badge [Information Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/information-science-is/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong information science education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 467 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for information science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Information Science Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Information Science Schools

1

For return on investment in information science, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for information science. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.

3

Students looking for strong value in information science will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $72,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for information science. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $16,481. Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $114,662 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #5 place for information science. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

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Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #6 position for value in information science this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $85,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

7

University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

University Of California Berkeley earned the #8 position for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the information science program here. Early-career information science graduates make about $175,482. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

9
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for information science. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $48,254. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

10

University Of The Cumberlands landed the #10 spot for information science value this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the information science program here. Information Science graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.

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Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #11 spot for information science value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $26,988. Information Science graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #12 among the best values for information science. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $93,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #13 among the best values for information science. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,294 in student loans. Early-career information science graduates make about $68,374. That is a strong return on a $13,294 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

14

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #14 spot for information science value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Information Science graduates carry a median of $5,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.

15

University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #15 spot for information science value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the information science program here. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 56%.

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Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #16 spot for information science value this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $25,750. Early-career information science graduates make about $65,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

17

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #17 position for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $73,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

18

University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #18 among the best values for information science. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $21,147. Early-career information science graduates make about $100,801. That is a strong return on a $21,147 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

19

University Of Houston placed #19 among the best values for information science. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

20

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #20 for value in information science this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,180 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $70,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #21 for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, information science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $44,923. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Maryland University College landed the #22 spot for information science value this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,806. Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $95,119 early in their careers. Set against $20,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #23 for value in information science this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $20,205. Early-career information science graduates make about $57,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

24

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value information science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for information science graduates is $21,813. Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

25

University Of Delaware earned the #25 position for value in information science this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Information Science graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Information Science Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in information science:

26
27
28
29
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
50

Other Information Science Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in Information Science
Associate's Degrees in Information Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Information Science
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View All 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 73 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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