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Computer & Information Sciences · IT Management Rank #27 of 102

IT Managementat Western Governors University

Graduates earn $92,416/yr in their first year — about 55.0% above the national IT Management average. Base-case 10-year earnings $858K; scenarios range from $686K to $912K depending on AI disruption.

Salt Lake City, UT Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
77 STRONG
79
Optimistic
71
Pessimistic
Earnings
$92,416
1-year post-graduation
ROI
26.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$858K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
58% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Western Governors University

WGU's high earnings reflect its unique student body: you won't be in class with 18-year-olds, but with experienced IT professionals. Most students are already working in the field and use WGU's flexible, competency-based model to earn the credential needed for a promotion. This isn't about landing your first help desk job; it's about leveraging your existing experience to move into management, network architecture, or senior system administration roles. The program formalizes the skills you've likely already developed on the job, making you a credible candidate for leadership. Your success will hinge on your ability to self-motivate and apply your coursework directly to your current career. To maximize your return, start networking with senior staff and managers at your current employer *before* you even enroll, signaling your ambition and creating a clear path for advancement upon graduation.

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
$686K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple20.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$858K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple25.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$912K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple27.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where IT Management 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
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Computer network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
5
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/yr
High
6
Computer occupations, all other
+8.2% 10-yr growth · 31,300 openings/yr
$108,970/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 IT Management

How Western Governors University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Rochester Institute of Technology
NY · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$89K
1-yr earn
5.0x
ROI
George Washington University
DC · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$87K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
University of Arkansas Grantham
AR · Public
76
DW Score
$87K
1-yr earn
25.1x
ROI
Top score
Capella University
MN · Private for-profit
87
DW Score
$86K
1-yr earn
18.2x
ROI
Same state (UT)
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$84K
1-yr earn
31.1x
ROI
Also at Western Governors University

Other top programs at Western Governors University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Governors University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare IT Management trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about IT Management at Western Governors University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for IT Management at Western Governors University?

This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for IT Management nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace IT Management careers?

With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $686,455 in decade earnings vs $911,504 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.