Information Scienceat University of California-Riverside
Graduates earn $76,090/yr in their first year — about 28.0% above the national Information Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $750K; scenarios range from $614K to $773K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Riverside
First-year earnings of $76,090 put University of California-Riverside's Information Science program 28% above the national median of $59,433 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.2x 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 21% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $76,090 far exceeding the $24,417 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #73 of 129 Information Science programs, University of California-Riverside falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
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 UC Riverside'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 UC Riverside stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Riverside
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Riverside, 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 UC Riverside
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Science at University of California-Riverside?
This program scores 68/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Information Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $614,269 in decade earnings vs $773,216 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.