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Computer & Information Sciences · Information Sciences Rank #240 of 443

Information Sciencesat Pacific Lutheran University

Graduates earn $78,055/yr in their first year — about 25.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $956K; scenarios range from $729K to $997K depending on AI disruption.

Tacoma, WA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
76 STRONG
77
Optimistic
69
Pessimistic
Earnings
$78,055
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$956K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University's Information Sciences graduates start at $78,055/yr — above the $62,617 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 4.7x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 69% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $23,534 in median debt clears quickly against $78,055 in annual earnings.

At #240 out of 443 programs, Pacific Lutheran University's financial outcomes for Information Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $78,055 to $105,430 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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
$729K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple3.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$956K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple4.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$997K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple4.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Pacific Lutheran University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Pacific Lutheran 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 Pacific Lutheran University

How does Pacific Lutheran University's Information Sciences program score?

A score of 76/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Pacific Lutheran University trails the majority of Information Sciences programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

How vulnerable is Information Sciences to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Information Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

How affordable is Information Sciences at Pacific Lutheran University after financial aid?

Sticker price is $203,856, but the average net cost is $85,480 — a 58% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.