[Computer & Information Sciences](/majors/computer-information-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for computer & information sciences students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer & information sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked North Hennepin Community College the best value for a degree in computer & information sciences in Minnesota. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Students borrow a median of $15,751 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. Set against $15,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $20,000. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Riverland Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Hennepin Technical College one of the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,998 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $46,775. That is a strong return on a $20,998 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Morris came in at #6 for value in computer & information sciences this year. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,993 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $55,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Pine Technical College placed #7 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,738 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $22,454. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Pine Technical College earn a median of $44,905 early in their careers. Set against $22,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota County Technical College earned the #8 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,327 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,173. Set against $15,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $44,836. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #10 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $48,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College came in at #11 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Students borrow a median of $15,708 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $22,593. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $44,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $16,065 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,654. That is a strong return on a $16,065 median debt.
Anoka Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,267. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $18,408. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $44,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #15 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $47,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $49,706. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #17 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,519 in student loans. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $45,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,292 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $57,064. Set against $25,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University earned the #19 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value computer & information sciences schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,367 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $77,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Lake Superior College earned the #21 position for value in computer & information sciences this year. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the computer & information sciences program here. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $44,549. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #22 for value in computer & information sciences this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $29,180. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $72,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bemidji State University placed #23 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $25,819. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $48,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #24 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Computer & Information Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,773 in student loans. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $49,625. That is a strong return on a $13,773 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Winona State University placed #25 among the best values for computer & information sciences. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer & information sciences graduates is $23,250. Early-career computer & information sciences graduates make about $65,817. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer & information sciences:
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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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
