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Computer & Information Sciences · Information Sciences Rank #197 of 443

Information Sciencesat Cornell University

Graduates earn $103,650/yr in their first year — about 66.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,236K; scenarios range from $888K to $1,302K depending on AI disruption.

Ithaca, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
79 STRONG
80
Optimistic
73
Pessimistic
Earnings
$103,650
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,236K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Cornell University

The elite reputation of Cornell's CS program creates a powerful recruiting gravity, pulling top-tier employers from across the country to Ithaca. You won't be limited by the local job market; instead, companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, along with elite Wall Street trading firms, actively compete for graduates. The program's rigorous, theory-heavy curriculum is precisely what these firms seek, as it produces engineers who can solve novel problems, not just apply existing tools. While the data shows high AI risk for the field, Cornell graduates are the ones building and managing those AI systems, placing them firmly in control of the disruption. To maximize this advantage, your key action is to engage with on-campus recruiting events from your very first year—it’s not just a job fair, it's your primary career launchpad.

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
$888K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple3.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,236K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple4.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,302K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score80/100
Earnings Multiple4.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell 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 Cornell 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 Cornell University

Other top programs at Cornell University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell 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 Cornell University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Sciences at Cornell University?

This program scores 79/100 — 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 $887,986 in decade earnings vs $1,301,530 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Cornell University a hidden gem for Information Sciences?

After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below the $264,056 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.