Information Sciencesat Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduates earn $84,338/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,058K; scenarios range from $787K to $1,108K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Virginia Commonwealth University
While VCU isn't a household name like some tech powerhouses, its prime location offers a direct pipeline into one of the nation's most lucrative job markets. You're just a short drive from the Northern Virginia/D.C. metro area, a massive hub for government contracting, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Major defense and intelligence firms, alongside corporate giants like Amazon, aggressively recruit from strong state schools like VCU to fill high-paying roles that often require security clearances. This creates a powerful local demand for your skills, pulling salaries well above the national average. To maximize this advantage, focus your coursework on security or data analytics and start networking early with D.C.-area employers; your access to this specific, high-demand market is your biggest asset.
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 Virginia Commonwealth University'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 Virginia Commonwealth University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Virginia Commonwealth University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Virginia Commonwealth University, 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 Virginia Commonwealth University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University?
This program scores 87/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Information Sciences nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Information Sciences careers?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $786,916 in decade earnings vs $1,107,551 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Virginia Commonwealth University's Information Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #47 of 443 programs nationally, Virginia Commonwealth University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.