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Computer & Information Sciences · Information Sciences Rank #131 of 443

Information Sciencesat Colorado Mesa University

Graduates earn $65,284/yr in their first year — about 4.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $721K; scenarios range from $596K to $741K depending on AI disruption.

Grand Junction, CO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
82 STRONG
83
Optimistic
76
Pessimistic
Earnings
$65,284
1-year post-graduation
ROI
19.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$721K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Colorado Mesa University

Graduates earn $65,284/yr, roughly in line with the $62,617 national median for Information Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.6x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $65,284 far exceeding the $22,080 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #131 of 443 Information Sciences programs, Colorado Mesa University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $77,812 are relatively flat compared to the $65,284 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

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
$596K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple15.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$721K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple18.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$741K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score83/100
Earnings Multiple19.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Information Sciences 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
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Computer network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
6
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/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 Information Sciences

How Colorado Mesa University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
84
DW Score
$146K
1-yr earn
10.3x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Los Angeles
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$136K
1-yr earn
38.8x
ROI
Yale University
CT · Private nonprofit
83
DW Score
$133K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
Rice University
TX · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$131K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
79
DW Score
$116K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Also at Colorado Mesa University

Other top programs at Colorado Mesa University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colorado Mesa University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Information Sciences at Colorado Mesa University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Sciences at Colorado Mesa University?

This program scores 82/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Information Sciences nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

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 $595,917 in decade earnings vs $740,979 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.