Information Scienceat Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Graduates earn $56,360/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Information Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $925K; scenarios range from $715K to $964K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Rutgers
First-year earnings of $56,360 track close to the $59,433 national median for Information Science programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Information Science programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Information Science's typical career paths, with 68% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.
At $23,500 in median debt against $56,360 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #49 of 129 Information Science programs, Rutgers University-New Brunswick scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $97,712 show a 73% jump from the $56,360 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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 Rutgers'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 Rutgers stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Rutgers
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Rutgers, 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 Rutgers
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Science at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Information Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Information Science careers?
With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $715,477 in decade earnings vs $963,889 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.