Information Scienceat James Madison University
Graduates earn $80,173/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Information Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $965K; scenarios range from $739K to $1,008K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at James Madison University
While the career paths listed are high-tech, this program's strength lies in its practical, business-focused approach. You’re not just learning to code; you’re learning how information systems solve organizational problems. This versatility is highly valued by the consulting firms and government contractors that dominate the Northern Virginia and D.C. tech corridor, which actively recruit from JMU. The university has built a powerful reputation as a pipeline for these employers, who need graduates who can manage projects and communicate with clients, not just write software. The high AI risk score isn't a red flag, but a signal: the routine technical tasks are what get automated. Your key advice is to lean into the program’s emphasis on project management and systems analysis to ensure you are the one directing the technology, not being replaced by it.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to James Madison University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Information Science
How James Madison University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at James Madison University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at James Madison University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Information Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Information Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Information Science at James Madison University
How does James Madison University's Information Science program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. James Madison University's Information Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Information Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Information Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 68% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does James Madison University rank so high for Information Science?
The #4 ranking out of 129 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.