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Information Science at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Information Science/Studies

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,534/yr (-57% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)

ROI 2.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #129 of 129 Information Science/Studies programs

Program Analysis

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.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Information Science graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$345K	$357K	$387K
Earnings Multiple	2.0x	2.1x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	74%	68%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	30	29	31

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$172,640

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$84,136

51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,550

6.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (4 Year)

$67,975

166% growth from Year 1

About Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,061 students in Winona, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $84,136 — 51% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr

Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr

Database architects $135,980/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Information Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →