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 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on 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, Grad Degree evaluated schools to produce 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
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is Dakota State University, our #1 best-value Information Science Is school in the United States. Dakota State University is a public school based in Madison, SD. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,318 to complete their Information Science Is program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,970 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. See the full Dakota State University profile
Out of the 467 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Maryland University College landed the #2 spot. University Of Maryland University College is a public school based in Adelphi, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical Information Science Is student debt is $20,806. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,287. That is a strong return on a $20,806 median debt. Get the full University Of Maryland University College report
Out of the 467 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Norwich University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Northfield, VT. Students from in state pay about $49,740 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Norwich University alumni report median earnings of $65,575 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants. See the full Norwich University profile
Out of the 467 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Bowie State University landed the #4 spot. Based in Bowie, MD, Bowie State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,218, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. The median Information Science Is program debt is $28,474. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,537. Set against $28,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowie State University has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full Bowie State University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #5 place in the United States. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public school based in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Graduates carry a median of $21,147 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,909 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,147 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha profile
Marquette University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. The median Information Science Is program debt is $24,122. Marquette University alumni report median earnings of $78,257 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Marquette University
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,792 ten years after entry. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Grand Valley State University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Grand Valley State University is a public school based in Allendale, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,118 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Grand Valley State University has an acceptance rate of 83%. Read the full report on Grand Valley State University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Located in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of North Texas placed #11 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. University Of North Texas is a public school based in Denton, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas Information Science Is students take on a median of $26,375 in debt. University Of North Texas alumni report median earnings of $57,010 a decade after entry. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of North Texas
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public school based in Rolla, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical Information Science Is student debt is $25,750. Missouri University Of Science And Technology alumni report median earnings of $82,957 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology has an acceptance rate of 72%. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. This public school is set in Richardson, TX. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. See the full The University Of Texas At Dallas profile
California Lutheran University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,560. Graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. California Lutheran University alumni report median earnings of $68,712 a decade after entry. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on California Lutheran University
Johns Hopkins University landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Information Science Is program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $87,555 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
East Carolina University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Greenville, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Median earnings reach $55,146 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants. Read more about East Carolina University
Wright State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Located in Dayton, OH, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Wright State University Main Campus Information Science Is students take on a median of $25,836 in debt. Median earnings reach $49,500 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 96%. More on Wright State University Main Campus
Drexel University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $29,125 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $84,648. Set against $29,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%. See the full Drexel University profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. The median Information Science Is program debt is $25,000. Median earnings reach $84,276 ten years out. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,911, while out-of-state students pay about $22,721. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock alumni report median earnings of $45,265 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock report
Northwestern University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. The median Information Science Is program debt is $12,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,363 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. About 8% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Northwestern University profile
Virginia Commonwealth University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,364 to complete their Information Science Is program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,128. That is a strong return on a $24,364 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University has an acceptance rate of 93%. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
Duke University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Information Science Is program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $97,800. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted. See the full Duke University profile
Florida State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical Information Science Is student debt is $20,488. Median earnings reach $61,675 ten years out. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%. More on Florida State University
The University Of Montana came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Missoula, MT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete their Information Science Is program here. The University Of Montana alumni report median earnings of $44,511 a decade after entry. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%. See the full The University Of Montana profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #27 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,990 ten years after entry. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Wayne State University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Set in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. The median Information Science Is program debt is $26,689. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,493 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%. See the full Wayne State University profile
Syracuse University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,694 to complete their Information Science Is program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,164 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. More on Syracuse University
Eastern Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,990. Graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,793. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University has an acceptance rate of 80%. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
University Of Maine ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. University Of Maine is a public school based in Orono, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $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 ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. Located in Portland, ME, University Of Southern Maine is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. The median Information Science Is program debt is $23,593. University Of Southern Maine alumni report median earnings of $49,958 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%. See the full University Of Southern Maine profile
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley
Purdue University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Denver landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Denver
Lincoln University Missouri placed #34 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Read the full report on Lincoln University Missouri
Southwestern Illinois College placed #35 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southwestern Illinois College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Clayton State University landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Clayton State University
Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #38 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Read the full report on Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Long Island University C W Post Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Long Island University C W Post Campus
Luther College
Luther College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Luther College profile
Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #41 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. More on Rasmussen College Minnesota
Suny College At Oswego landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Suny College At Oswego report
California State University Northridge placed #43 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. More on California State University Northridge
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #44 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. See the full City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Information Science Is schools. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Rasmussen College Wisconsin offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. See the full Rasmussen College Wisconsin profile
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Mary Hardin Baylor report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Coastal Carolina University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Coastal Carolina University
Immaculata University placed #50 among the best-value Information Science Is schools in the United States. Read the full report on Immaculata University
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
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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