Home Schools University of Nevada-Reno Information Sciences
Computer & Information Sciences · Information Sciences Rank #235 of 443

Information Sciencesat University of Nevada-Reno

Graduates earn $52,970/yr in their first year — about 15.0% below the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $633K; scenarios range from $546K to $646K depending on AI disruption.

Reno, NV Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
76 STRONG
77
Optimistic
70
Pessimistic
Earnings
$52,970
1-year post-graduation
ROI
17.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$633K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Nevada-Reno

University of Nevada-Reno's Information Sciences graduates start at $52,970/yr, trailing the $62,617 national average by 15%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 17.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Information Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,500 in median debt clears quickly against $52,970 in annual earnings.

A #235 ranking among 443 Information Sciences programs places University of Nevada-Reno in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 24% earnings increase from $52,970 to $65,704 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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
$546K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple15.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$633K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple17.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$646K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple17.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Information Sciences 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 network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
6
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/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 Sciences

How University of Nevada-Reno stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
84
DW Score
$146K
1-yr earn
10.3x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Los Angeles
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$136K
1-yr earn
38.8x
ROI
Yale University
CT · Private nonprofit
83
DW Score
$133K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
Rice University
TX · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$131K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
79
DW Score
$116K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Also at University of Nevada-Reno

Other top programs at University of Nevada-Reno

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nevada-Reno, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Information Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Information Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Information Sciences at University of Nevada-Reno

What does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Information Sciences at University of Nevada-Reno?

At 76/100, the score looks reasonable — but Information Sciences is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Information Sciences at University of Nevada-Reno?

The 69% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Nevada-Reno a good choice for Information Sciences despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Nevada-Reno's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.