Find Tech Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Information Science Schools in Virginia

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Information Science Schools in Virginia

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

10 Colleges
$14,655 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$59,519 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Information Science School for You

Information Science is one of the most popular subjects to study in Virginia. With 532 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, it ranked 4th out of all the majors we track in the state.

With all the computer science programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Computer Science Degree Search has created its Best Value Information Science Schools in Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 10 schools in Virginia to see which ones offered the best value programs for IS students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Information Science Schools in Virginia

The following schools top our list of the Best Value Information Science Colleges.

Top 10 Best Information Science Schools

#1

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA
$12,638 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found James Madison University to be the best value school for information science students who want to pursue a degree in Virginia. Located in the small city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at JMU are $12,638 a year. While working on their degree, IS majors at JMU accumulate an average of around $23,400 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $244, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

JMU not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Information Science Schools in Virginia list.

Full Information Science at James Madison University Report

#2

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA
$13,119 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 10 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, George Mason University landed the # 2 spot on the list. GMU is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax.

GMU undergraduate students pay an average of $13,119 in in-state tuition and fees each year.

GMU also took the #4 spot in our Best Information Science Schools in Virginia rankings.

Full Information Science at George Mason University Report

$15,028 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Information Science Schools in Virginia list. VCU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Richmond.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at VCU are $15,028 per year. IS majors at VCU take out an average of $26,269 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $213.

Read More…

#4

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA
$14,924 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Christopher Newport University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Information Science Schools in Virginia list. CNU is a small public school located in the midsize city of Newport News.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at CNU are $14,924 a year. While working on their degree, IS majors at CNU accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

Read full report on Information Science at Christopher Newport University

#5

Radford University

Radford, VA
$11,542 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Radford University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best information science schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Radford, Radford is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Radford undergraduate students pay an average of $11,542 in in-state tuition and fees each year. On average, IS graduates from Radford take out $31,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#6

Stratford University

Fairfax, VA
$15,130 Average Tuition & Fees

Stratford University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value information science programs. Stratford University is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Fairfax.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Stratford University are $15,130 a year.

Read More…

$13,515 Average Tuition & Fees

Strayer University - Virginia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for information science students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Arlington, Strayer University - Virginia is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Strayer University - Virginia are $13,515 a year. After completing their degree, IS graduates from Strayer University - Virginia carry an average student debtload of $51,351.

Read full report on Information Science at Strayer University - Virginia

#8

South University, Richmond

Glen Allen, VA
$18,000 Average Tuition & Fees

South University, Richmond came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Information Science Schools in Virginia ranking. South University, Richmond is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Glen Allen.

South University, Richmond undergraduate students pay an average of $18,000 in in-state tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, IS graduates from South University, Richmond carry an average student debtload of $51,566.

Full Information Science at South University, Richmond Report

#9

South University, Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, VA
$18,000 Average Tuition & Fees

South University, Virginia Beach landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value information science programs. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, South University, Virginia Beach is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South University, Virginia Beach are $18,000 per year. While working on their degree, IS majors at South University, Virginia Beach accumulate an average of around $51,566 in student debt.

Read More…

#10

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, VA
$58,570 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Richmond landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value information science programs. URichmond is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at URichmond are $58,570 per year.

URichmond not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Information Science Schools in Virginia list.

Full Information Science at University of Richmond Report

Best Value Information Science Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Value Information Science Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Louisiana 126
West Virginia 60
Georgia 413
Tennessee 11
North Carolina 224
Mississippi 1
Arkansas 71
Alabama 76
Florida 404
South Carolina 117
Kentucky 106

One of 10 majors within the computer science area of study, information science has other similar majors worth exploring.

IS Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Information Science 18,325

Related Major Annual Graduates
Computer Information Systems 88,434
Computer Science 59,565
Information Technology 40,555
Computer Systems Networking 14,700
Computer Software & Applications 14,336

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 10 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to The Opte Project.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Computer Science Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited computer and technology colleges across the U.S.