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Information Science/Studies at Westfield State University

Westfield, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $52,728/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)

ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #74 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	$593K	$585K	$519K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.5x	12.3x	10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.3x	8.1x	7.2x
Probability of Field Employment	74%	68%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	69	68	61

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,528

Out-of-state: $71,848 (8.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,244

-56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,250

4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,295

16% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $52,728/yr, roughly in line with the $59,433 national median for Information Science/Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Information Science/Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Information Science/Studies's typical career paths, with 68% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $52,728 far exceeding the $18,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #74 of 129 Information Science/Studies programs, Westfield State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $61,295 are relatively flat compared to the $52,728 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Westfield State University

Westfield State University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 3,481 in Westfield, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Westfield State 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

Information Science/Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Westfield State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Science/Studies at Westfield State University?

This program scores 68/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Information Science/Studies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Information Science/Studies careers?

With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $518,545 in decade earnings vs $592,877 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →