Home Schools Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Information Science
Computer & Information Sciences · Information Science Rank #129 of 129

Information Scienceat Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Graduates earn $25,534/yr in their first year — about 57.0% below the national Information Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $357K; scenarios range from $387K to $345K depending on AI disruption.

Winona, MN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
29 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
31
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,534
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$357K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

While the career paths listed for this field are lucrative, the outcomes for this specific program tell a different story. Saint Mary's, a smaller liberal arts university in Winona, may not have the deep industry connections or rigorous, engineering-focused curriculum that tech giants and startups demand. The local job market is also less tech-centric than a major metropolitan area, meaning graduates likely compete for smaller-scale IT support or data entry roles rather than high-paying software development positions in the Twin Cities. The program’s curriculum might be more theoretical, leaving you without the robust coding portfolio needed to land top-tier technical interviews.

Your key takeaway: Ask the department for a list of companies that have hired their graduates in the last three years to see if those real-world placements align with your career ambitions.

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
$387K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$357K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$345K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Information Science 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 occupations, all other
+8.2% 10-yr growth · 31,300 openings/yr
$108,970/yr
High
6
Web and digital interface designers
+7.0% 10-yr growth · 9,100 openings/yr
$98,090/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 Science

How Saint Mary's University of Minnesota stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northwestern University
IL · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Norwich University
VT · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Excelsior University
NY · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$89K
1-yr earn
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
85
DW Score
$89K
1-yr earn
17.2x
ROI
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
3.9x
ROI
Also at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Other top programs at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Information Science at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

How does Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's Information Science program score?

This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Information Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 are Information Science earnings lower at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Lower starting pay at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

How affordable is Information Science at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota after financial aid?

Sticker price is $172,640, but the average net cost is $84,136 — a 51% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.