Information Sciencesat California State University-Northridge
Graduates earn $55,931/yr in their first year — about 11.0% below the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $790K; scenarios range from $635K to $816K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CSU Northridge
At $55,931/yr, Information Sciences graduates from California State University-Northridge land near the $62,617 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 27.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Information Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $18,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
A #129 ranking among 443 Information Sciences programs places California State University-Northridge in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 47% earnings increase from $55,931 to $82,112 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
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 CSU Northridge'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 CSU Northridge stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CSU Northridge
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Northridge, 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 CSU Northridge
What does a 82/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Information Sciences at California State University-Northridge?
At 82/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Information Sciences at California State University-Northridge?
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.