Home › Western Oregon University › Information Science/Studies

Information Science/Studies at Western Oregon University

Monmouth, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,320/yr (-34% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)
ROI 10.5x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #127 of 129 Information Science/Studies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Information Science/Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $462K $464K $449K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.5x 10.5x 10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 68% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,100
Out-of-state: $122,940 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,160
-66% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $39,320/yr fall 34% below the $59,433 national median for Information Science/Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 10.5x 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 — 68% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #127 out of 129 programs, Western Oregon University's financial outcomes for Information Science/Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 3,211 students in Monmouth, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Oregon University →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 129 schools offering Information Science/Studies →

Information Science/Studies at Other Schools

Northwestern University ($102,998) Norwich University ($98,551) Excelsior University ($88,713) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($88,515) Boston College ($80,731) Albright College ($80,329) James Madison University ($80,173) Utah Valley University ($79,918)

Other Majors at Western Oregon University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($51,703) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,845) Education, General ($43,879) Business/Commerce, General ($42,281) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($40,289) Communication and Media Studies ($37,600) Public Health ($35,701) Social Sciences, General ($34,245)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Information Science/Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Western Oregon University's Information Science/Studies program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Information Science/Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Information Science/Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Information Science/Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 68% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Information Science/Studies earnings lower at Western Oregon University?
Lower starting pay at Western Oregon University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →