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Computer & Information Sciences · Information Sciences Rank #218 of 443

Information Sciencesat Western Oregon University

Graduates earn $51,703/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $780K; scenarios range from $630K to $805K depending on AI disruption.

Monmouth, OR Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
78 STRONG
79
Optimistic
72
Pessimistic
Earnings
$51,703
1-year post-graduation
ROI
17.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$780K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University's Information Sciences graduates start at $51,703/yr, trailing the $62,617 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Information Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Information Sciences's typical career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 22% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,056 in median debt clears quickly against $51,703 in annual earnings.

At #218 of 443 Information Sciences programs, Western Oregon University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $79,664 show a 54% jump from the $51,703 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
$630K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple14.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$780K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple17.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$805K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple18.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Information Sciences 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 network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
6
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/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 Sciences

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

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
84
DW Score
$146K
1-yr earn
10.3x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Los Angeles
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$136K
1-yr earn
38.8x
ROI
Yale University
CT · Private nonprofit
83
DW Score
$133K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
Rice University
TX · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$131K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
79
DW Score
$116K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Also at Western Oregon University

Other top programs at Western Oregon University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Oregon 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Information Sciences at Western Oregon University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Sciences at Western Oregon University?

This program scores 78/100 — 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 $629,512 in decade earnings vs $805,454 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Information Sciences from Western Oregon University?

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.