Information Sciencesat Western Illinois University
Graduates earn $62,578/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $689K; scenarios range from $578K to $706K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Illinois University
First-year earnings of $62,578 track close to the $62,617 national median for Information Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The 11.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 69% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
At $24,242 in median debt against $62,578 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #232 out of 443 programs, Western Illinois University's financial outcomes for Information Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $62,578 to $73,734 over five years (18% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
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 Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois University
How does Western Illinois University's Information Sciences program score?
A score of 76/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Western Illinois University trails the majority of Information Sciences programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.