Home Schools Colorado State University-Fort Collins Information Sciences
Computer & Information Sciences · Information Sciences Rank #13 of 443

Information Sciencesat Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Graduates earn $78,856/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,122K; scenarios range from $823K to $1,178K depending on AI disruption.

Fort Collins, CO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
89 ELITE
90
Optimistic
82
Pessimistic
Earnings
$78,856
1-year post-graduation
ROI
22.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,122K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Graduates of Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Information Sciences program earn $78,856/yr in their first year — 26% above the $62,617 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Information Sciences programs nationally.

The 30% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 69% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Information Sciences graduates.

At $21,569 in median debt against $78,856 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #13 of 443 nationally, this is a top-5% Information Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $121,497 show a 54% jump from the $78,856 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

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
$823K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple16.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,122K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score89/100
Earnings Multiple21.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,178K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score90/100
Earnings Multiple22.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Colorado State University-Fort Collins'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 State University-Fort Collins 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 State University-Fort Collins

Other top programs at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, 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 State University-Fort Collins

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Sciences at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?

This program scores 89/100 — 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 $823,380 in decade earnings vs $1,177,538 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Information Sciences program stand out?

Ranked #13 of 443 programs nationally, Colorado State University-Fort Collins lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.