2026 Best Value Information Science Is Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Information Science Is graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 467 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Information Science Is Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Dakota State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Information Science Is graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Located in Madison, SD, Dakota State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Typical Information Science Is student debt is $29,318. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,970 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dakota State University has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read the full report on Dakota State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland University College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $20,806 to complete their Information Science Is program here. University Of Maryland University College alumni report median earnings of $65,287 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on University Of Maryland University College
Out of the 467 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Norwich University landed the #3 spot. Set in Northfield, VT, Norwich University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. Norwich University Information Science Is students take on a median of $24,625 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,575. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Norwich University has an acceptance rate of 74%. Get the full Norwich University report
Out of the 467 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Bowie State University landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Bowie, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. The median Information Science Is program debt is $28,474. Bowie State University alumni report median earnings of $54,537 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,474 median debt. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants. Read more about Bowie State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. University Of Nebraska At Omaha Information Science Is students take on a median of $21,147 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,909 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Marquette University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete their Information Science Is program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,257. That is a strong return on a $24,122 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%. More on Marquette University
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Information Science Is students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Grand Valley State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The median Information Science Is program debt is $29,000. Grand Valley State University alumni report median earnings of $56,118 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%. More on Grand Valley State University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Set in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of North Texas landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Denton, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete their Information Science Is program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,010 ten years after entry. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants. Get the full University Of North Texas report
Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical Information Science Is student debt is $25,750. Median earnings reach $82,957 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants. See the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology profile
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Richardson, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. The median Information Science Is program debt is $20,531. The University Of Texas At Dallas alumni report median earnings of $68,227 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about The University Of Texas At Dallas
California Lutheran University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school based in Thousand Oaks, CA. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. Typical Information Science Is student debt is $22,727. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,712 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,727 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read more about California Lutheran University
Johns Hopkins University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical Information Science Is student debt is $13,426. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $87,555. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University has an acceptance rate of 6%. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
East Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Greenville, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. East Carolina University alumni report median earnings of $55,146 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. More on East Carolina University
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. This public school is set in Dayton, OH. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,500. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 96%. Get the full Wright State University Main Campus report
Drexel University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. The median Information Science Is program debt is $29,125. Graduates go on to earn a median of $84,648 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants. See the full Drexel University profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Set in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. New Jersey Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $84,276 a decade after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. More on New Jersey Institute Of Technology
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public school based in Little Rock, AR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Information Science Is program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,265 ten years after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock admits about 59% of applicants. See the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock profile
Northwestern University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. The median Information Science Is program debt is $12,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,363. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted. More on Northwestern University
Duke University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $97,800 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Duke University
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. This public school is set in Richmond, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $24,364 to complete their Information Science Is program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
Florida State University placed #25 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Florida State University Information Science Is students take on a median of $20,488 in debt. Florida State University alumni report median earnings of $61,675 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University has an acceptance rate of 24%. Read the full report on Florida State University
The University Of Montana placed #26 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Based in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,511. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on The University Of Montana
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. The median Information Science Is program debt is $27,081. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee alumni report median earnings of $54,990 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Information Science Is Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Wayne State University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Located in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. The median Information Science Is program debt is $26,689. Wayne State University alumni report median earnings of $53,493 a decade after entry. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University has an acceptance rate of 81%. Read more about Wayne State University
Syracuse University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. The median Information Science Is program debt is $26,694. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,164 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,694 median debt. About 46% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Syracuse University
Eastern Michigan University placed #30 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Eastern Michigan University is a public school based in Ypsilanti, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete their Information Science Is program here. Median earnings reach $51,793 ten years out. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University has an acceptance rate of 80%. More on Eastern Michigan University
University Of Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Based in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. University Of Maine Information Science Is students take on a median of $25,984 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants. More on University Of Maine
University Of Southern Maine came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Based in Portland, ME, University Of Southern Maine is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical Information Science Is student debt is $23,593. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,958 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants. Read more about University Of Southern Maine
Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Florida Institute Of Technology
Century College
Century College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. See the full Century College profile
Reading Area Community College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Reading Area Community College
Rockland Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read more about Rockland Community College
South Universityvirginia Beach offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full South Universityvirginia Beach profile
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. See the full City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College profile
American University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Read more about American University
Fordham University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Fordham University profile
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. See the full University Of Illinois At Chicago profile
University Of The West ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Read the full report on University Of The West
Albright College
Albright College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Read more about Albright College
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #42 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Farmingdale State College placed #43 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Read more about Farmingdale State College
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. More on Long Island University C W Post Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Luther College
Luther College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Luther College
Northwest Mississippi Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Northwest Mississippi Community College
Northwestern College Minnesota placed #48 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. See the full Northwestern College Minnesota profile
Seattle University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Seattle University
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania report
Related Information Science Is Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Information Science Is Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Information Science Is Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Information Science Is Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Information Science Is Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Information Science Is Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Information Science Is Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Information Science Is Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 467 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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