Information Sciencesat Macalester College
Graduates earn $81,964/yr in their first year — about 31.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,116K; scenarios range from $820K to $1,170K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Macalester College
The strong earnings for Macalester graduates reflect more than just coding skills; they show the power of a liberal arts education in the tech world. You'll learn to think critically and communicate complex ideas, which are the skills that separate a good programmer from a future team lead or product manager. The Twin Cities area is a major hub for Fortune 500 companies like Target, UnitedHealth Group, and Medtronic, all of which have massive tech needs and actively recruit from top local schools. This creates a robust local job market right on your doorstep. Your peers will be bright and driven, pushing you to build impressive projects for your portfolio. To maximize this advantage, use the career center early to connect with the strong alumni network in tech—their mentorship can open doors that are otherwise hard to find.
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 Macalester College'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 Sciences
How Macalester College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Macalester College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Macalester College, 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 →Frequently asked about Information Sciences at Macalester College
What does a 77/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Information Sciences at Macalester College?
At 77/100, the score looks reasonable — but Information Sciences 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 Information Sciences at Macalester College?
The 69% 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.
What do students actually pay for Information Sciences at Macalester College?
The 54% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $259,632. At a net cost of $119,920, the earnings multiple improves substantially.