Information Sciencesat University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Graduates earn $89,498/yr in their first year — about 43.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,032K; scenarios range from $772K to $1,080K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of New Mexico
While the high acceptance rate might suggest an ordinary program, UNM’s computer science department punches far above its weight due to its unique location. You're not just in a college town; you're in the heart of the "Silicon Mesa," a major hub for national security and advanced research. The curriculum and faculty are deeply connected to nearby powerhouses like Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. These institutions create a powerful recruiting pipeline for graduates, offering high-paying, stable careers in fields like high-performance computing, data analysis, and cybersecurity that often require security clearances.
Your key move here is to network aggressively beyond campus. Seek out internships and research opportunities with these national labs early on; they are the direct path to the high-value careers that make this program a standout performer.
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 University of New Mexico'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 Sciences
How University of New Mexico stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of New Mexico
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of New Mexico, 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 →Frequently asked about Information Sciences at University of New Mexico
How does University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Information Sciences program score?
A score of 91/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Information Sciences graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Information Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Information Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of New Mexico-Main Campus rank so high for Information Sciences?
The #4 ranking out of 443 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.