Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $44,682/yr fall 25% below the $59,433 national median for Information Science. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.0x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 17% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $45,268 against $44,682/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #113 of 129 Information Science programs, South University-Austin falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $67,229 show a 50% jump from the $44,682 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.