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Computer & Information Sciences · Information Sciences Rank #36 of 443

Information Sciencesat Western Washington University

Graduates earn $68,219/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,275K; scenarios range from $910K to $1,344K depending on AI disruption.

Bellingham, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
88 ELITE
89
Optimistic
81
Pessimistic
Earnings
$68,219
1-year post-graduation
ROI
33.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,275K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Western Washington University

Western Washington University's Information Sciences graduates start at $68,219/yr — above the $62,617 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 34.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Information Sciences carry above-average AI exposure (69% of tasks). The 32% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,583 in median debt clears quickly against $68,219 in annual earnings.

At #36 of 443 programs, this Information Sciences program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $68,219-to-$129,264 earnings arc over five years reflects a 89% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

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
$910K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score81/100
Earnings Multiple24.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,275K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score88/100
Earnings Multiple34.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,344K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score89/100
Earnings Multiple36.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington University

Other top programs at Western Washington University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Washington 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 Washington University

What does a 88/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Information Sciences at Western Washington University?

At 88/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Information Sciences at Western Washington University?

The 69% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.