Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $49,369/yr fall 17% below the $59,433 national median for Information Science/Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Information Science/Studies programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Information Science/Studies's typical career paths, with 68% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.
At $21,500 in median debt against $49,369 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #58 of 129 Information Science/Studies programs, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $79,821 show a 62% jump from the $49,369 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.