Home Schools University of South Carolina-Upstate Information Science
Computer & Information Sciences · Information Science Rank #67 of 129

Information Scienceat University of South Carolina-Upstate

Graduates earn $48,664/yr in their first year — about 18.0% below the national Information Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $734K; scenarios range from $605K to $756K depending on AI disruption.

Spartanburg, SC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$48,664
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$734K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of South Carolina-Upstate

At $48,664 per year, Information Science graduates from University of South Carolina-Upstate earn below the $59,433 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.8x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #67 of 129 Information Science programs, University of South Carolina-Upstate falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $76,204 show a 57% jump from the $48,664 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

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
$605K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple13.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$734K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple15.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$756K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple16.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Information Science 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 occupations, all other
+8.2% 10-yr growth · 31,300 openings/yr
$108,970/yr
High
6
Web and digital interface designers
+7.0% 10-yr growth · 9,100 openings/yr
$98,090/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 Science

How University of South Carolina-Upstate stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northwestern University
IL · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Norwich University
VT · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Excelsior University
NY · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$89K
1-yr earn
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
85
DW Score
$89K
1-yr earn
17.2x
ROI
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
3.9x
ROI
Also at University of South Carolina-Upstate

Other top programs at University of South Carolina-Upstate

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Carolina-Upstate, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Information Science at University of South Carolina-Upstate

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Science at University of South Carolina-Upstate?

This program scores 72/100 — 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 $604,906 in decade earnings vs $755,577 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Information Science from University of South Carolina-Upstate?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.