Information Sciencesat University of Pennsylvania
Graduates earn $146,204/yr in their first year — about 133.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $2,862K; scenarios range from $1,809K to $3,070K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Pennsylvania
While the earnings figures are impressive, they don't tell the whole story. As a Penn CIS graduate, you aren't just getting a degree; you're entering a well-oiled career pipeline. Top-tier employers from Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and the defense sector recruit directly from campus, often for roles that are never publicly advertised. Your classmates won't just be future software engineers at Google or Meta; many will be heading to high-frequency trading firms like Jane Street or Citadel, where compensation packages drive the earnings averages to exceptional heights. Philadelphia's own growing tech and biotech scene also provides a strong local network. The "AI Risk" here is a signal of opportunity: your training will position you to build and manage these advanced systems, not be replaced by them. Your key action item: engage with Penn's career services from day one to understand these specialized recruiting timelines, which often start years before graduation.
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 Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Pennsylvania
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania
How does University of Pennsylvania's Information Sciences program score?
A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania rank so high for Information Sciences?
The #106 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.
How affordable is Information Sciences at University of Pennsylvania after financial aid?
Sticker price is $264,416, but the average net cost is $124,916 — a 53% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.