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Business · Management Information Systems Rank #118 of 153

Management Information Systemsat California State University-San Marcos

Graduates earn $55,102/yr in their first year — about 8.0% below the national Management Information Systems average. Base-case 10-year earnings $579K; scenarios range from $514K to $595K depending on AI disruption.

San Marcos, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
57 SOLID
59
Optimistic
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$55,102
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$579K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
65% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU San Marcos

At $55,102/yr, Management Information Systems 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 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 programs places California State University-San Marcos in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$514K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple16.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$579K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple18.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$595K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple19.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU San Marcos's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Management Information Systems graduates typically work

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.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
3
Computer programmers
-6.0% 10-yr growth · 5,500 openings/yr
$98,670/yr
Very High
4
Computer science teachers, postsecondary
+5.3% 10-yr growth · 3,500 openings/yr
$96,690/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Management Information Systems

How CSU San Marcos stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Same state (CA)
National University
CA · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
17.0x
ROI
Southern New Hampshire University
NH · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$87K
1-yr earn
12.2x
ROI
Top score
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
76
DW Score
$87K
1-yr earn
23.0x
ROI
Georgetown University
DC · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$84K
1-yr earn
4.2x
ROI
Also at CSU San Marcos

Other top programs at CSU San Marcos

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU San Marcos, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Management Information Systems trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Management Information Systems at CSU San Marcos

What does a 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Management Information Systems at California State University-San Marcos?

At 57/100, the score looks reasonable — but Management Information Systems 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 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.