Information Sciencesat California State University-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $45,355/yr in their first year — about 28.0% below the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $696K; scenarios range from $582K to $714K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal State LA
At $45,355 per year, Information Sciences graduates from California State University-Los Angeles earn below the $62,617 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 25.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Information Sciences programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Information Sciences's typical career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $13,200 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #243 of 443 Information Sciences programs, California State University-Los Angeles falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $69,513 show a 53% jump from the $45,355 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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 Cal State LA'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 Cal State LA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal State LA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal State LA, 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 Cal State LA
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Sciences at California State University-Los Angeles?
This program scores 75/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Information Sciences programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Information Sciences careers?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $581,883 in decade earnings vs $714,041 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Information Sciences from California State University-Los Angeles?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.