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Academic Field / Computer & Information Sciences

Information Sciences

Students study the broad foundations of computing, including programming, algorithms, data structures, databases, and computer systems architecture. Graduates typically pursue careers as software developers, systems analysts, IT consultants, and database administrators across virtually every industry. Computer science graduates consistently rank among the highest-paid bachelor's degree holders in the job market.

Career outlook: See BLS salary ($133,080 median), 10-year growth & AI exposure for Software Developers →
Schools
443
Programs analyzed
Earnings
$62,617
Avg 1-yr grad earnings
Range $20,894–$146,204
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Field Overview

What Information Sciences graduates do

Your degree opens doors to building the digital world. As a software developer, your day will involve writing, testing, and refining the code that powers everything from mobile apps to enterprise systems. Alternatively, you might start as a systems analyst, acting as a translator between a company’s business needs and its technical solutions. With experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to designing complex projects or managing entire IT departments as a systems manager.

While high-growth paths like data science and information security are booming, be aware that some traditional roles like network administration face headwinds. The biggest factor is AI, which has a high impact across this field. It is fundamentally reshaping the work, automating many routine coding and analysis tasks once done by junior staff. This means fewer people will be hired to do more, and entry-level positions are shrinking. Your long-term value will lie not in simple execution, but in architecting systems, critically evaluating AI outputs, and making strategic judgment calls.

You may also want to evaluate Information Sciences against Computer Science, Information Science, and Computer Networking on salary and long-run job outlook.

Career Trajectories

Where Information Sciences graduates work

Common career paths for Information Sciences graduates, with median salaries, projected growth, and AI exposure per role. Roughly 338,800 combined openings per year across these roles.

Role Median Pay Annual Openings 10-yr Growth AI Exposure
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
$134K–$216K
55,600 +15.2% High · 53%
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
$103K–$181K
3,200 +19.7% High · 63%
Database architects
$135,980
$108K–$169K
4,000 +8.7% Very High · 94%
Software developers
$133,080
$103K–$169K
115,200 +15.8% Very High · 87%
Computer network architects
$130,390
$102K–$164K
11,200 +11.9% High · 61%
Information security analysts
$124,910
$92K–$160K
16,000 +28.5% High · 65%
Data scientists
$112,590
$83K–$156K
23,400 +33.5% High · 64%
Computer occupations, all other
$108,970
$76K–$148K
31,300 +8.2% High · 57%
Database administrators
$104,620
$76K–$133K
3,800 -0.7% Very High · 94%
Computer systems analysts
$103,790
$81K–$132K
34,200 +8.7% Moderate · 48%
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
$102,610
$80K–$132K
14,000 +10.0% Very High · 88%
Web and digital interface designers
$98,090
$65K–$142K
9,100 +7.0% High · 67%
Network and computer systems administrators
$96,800
$76K–$123K
14,300 -4.2% Very High · 73%
Computer science teachers, postsecondary
$96,690
$65K–$132K
3,500 +5.3% High · 51%
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Top Institutions

Best schools for Information Sciences

Schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score (earnings × AI resilience × ROI × job-market size). Top 10 of 443.

Rank #1 · DegreeOutlook Score 91
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
$136,099 1-yr earnings
38.8x ROI multiple
Very High AI risk
# School DW Score 1-yr Earnings ROI
5 University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
91 $90,651 49.2x
6 University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL · Public
91 $90,651 81.6x
7 University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM · Public
91 $89,498 34.8x
8 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
90 $113,634 21.2x
9 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
90 $96,432 20.8x
10 Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT · Private nonprofit
90 $84,242 30.3x
11 Brigham Young University
Provo, UT · Private nonprofit
90 $80,934 46.6x
12 University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA · Public
89 $98,067 18.2x
13 University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
89 $84,343 22.5x
14 Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX · Public
89 $82,521 21.4x
15 Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
89 $81,231 20.8x
16 University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
89 $80,566 25.5x
17 Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public
89 $78,856 22.6x
18 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE · Public
89 $78,017 24.7x
19 University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD · Public
89 $75,619 31.5x
20 The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL · Public
88 $83,651 20.4x
View the complete Information Sciences school rankings — 443 programs analyzed →

Highest Earnings Top 5

University of Pennsylvania
PA
$146,204
University of California-Los Angeles
CA
$136,099
Yale University
CT
$133,293
Rice University
TX
$131,154
Northeastern University
MA
$115,587

Related majors

Similar fields of study often offered alongside Information Sciences.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Information Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Information Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Information Sciences

How much do Information Sciences graduates earn?

Across 443 schools, Information Sciences graduates earn an average of $62,617 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $20,894 to $146,204 depending on the school.

Will AI affect Information Sciences careers?

Information Sciences is rated "Very High" for AI automation risk, with 59% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means most career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.

What's the top-ranked school for Information Sciences?

University of California-Los Angeles leads all 443 programs with a DegreeOutlook Score of 91/100. Graduates earn $136,099/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.

Is a Information Sciences degree worth the investment?

The average 10-year earnings multiple is 16.6x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.