Home › California State University-San Marcos › Management Information Systems and Services

Management Information Systems and Services at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
57
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,102/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (73% exposed)
Job Market Large (68,600 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #118 of 153 Management Information Systems and Services programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Management Information Systems and Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $595K $579K $514K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.2x 18.7x 16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.6x 7.4x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 62% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 57 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,956
Out-of-state: $78,476 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,200
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $55,102/yr, Management Information Systems and Services graduates from California State University-San Marcos land near the $59,611 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Management Information Systems and Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $15,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #118 ranking among 153 Management Information Systems and Services programs places California State University-San Marcos in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About California State University-San Marcos

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-San Marcos prioritizes broad access, serving 14,174 students in San Marcos, CA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Marcos →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
Computer programmers $98,670/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 153 schools offering Management Information Systems and Services →

Management Information Systems and Services at Other Schools

Santa Clara University ($93,042) National University ($92,758) Southern New Hampshire University ($86,882) The University of Texas at Austin ($86,622) Georgetown University ($83,756) Binghamton University ($81,708) Villanova University ($78,703) Howard University ($78,544)

Other Majors at California State University-San Marcos

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($103,799) Accounting and Related Services ($63,366) Computer Systems Analysis ($61,054) Computer Science ($60,645) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($57,682) Physics ($56,018) International Business ($55,455) Finance and Financial Management Services ($54,408)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Management Information Systems and Services trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Management Information Systems and Services at California State University-San Marcos?
At 57/100, the score looks reasonable — but Management Information Systems and Services is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Management Information Systems and Services at California State University-San Marcos?
The 73% 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →