Information Sciencesat Berea College
Graduates earn $35,185/yr in their first year — about 44.0% below the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $858K; scenarios range from $674K to $890K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Berea College
While the earnings figures might seem low for a computer science degree, they reflect Berea's unique mission and regional focus. Unlike programs that are pipelines to Silicon Valley, Berea primarily serves students from Appalachia, many of whom stay to work in the regional economy of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. Local tech and IT roles at hospitals, universities, and regional businesses simply don't offer the massive starting salaries found in coastal tech hubs. The college's renowned work-study program builds an incredible work ethic, but its professional networks are strongest within this specific geographic footprint.
For a high ROI, your key strategy will be to actively build a bridge to a major tech market. Use your summers for internships in cities like Atlanta, Nashville, or a larger hub, and leverage virtual career fairs to connect with national recruiters outside the college's traditional placement circles.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Berea College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Information Sciences
How Berea College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Berea College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Berea College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
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 →Frequently asked about Information Sciences at Berea College
What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Information Sciences at Berea College?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Information Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Information Sciences at Berea College?
The 69% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Berea College a good choice for Information Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Berea College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Information Sciences at Berea College?
The 91% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $197,304. At a net cost of $17,932, the earnings multiple improves substantially.