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Computer & Information Sciences · Information Sciences Rank #324 of 443

Information Sciencesat Winston-Salem State University

Graduates earn $41,819/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $639K; scenarios range from $550K to $652K depending on AI disruption.

Winston-Salem, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
69 SOLID
70
Optimistic
68
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,819
1-year post-graduation
ROI
22.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$639K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Winston-Salem State University

While the career paths listed represent the high end of the tech industry, your initial earnings will be shaped by the local Winston-Salem and broader Piedmont Triad job market. This region has a growing tech sector, but it's dominated by healthcare systems like Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and established corporations, not the high-paying "Big Tech" firms that drive up national averages. Graduates often land roles in IT support, systems administration, or junior developer positions at regional banks and businesses, which offer solid but more modest starting salaries. The program here provides a foundational skillset, but lacks the intensive recruiting pipelines and specialized tracks of larger research universities.

Your key to unlocking higher earning potential is building a portfolio and network that transcends the local market. Actively seek remote internships with companies in major tech hubs to prove your skills and make national connections before you even graduate.

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
$550K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple20.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$639K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple23.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$652K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple24.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Winston-Salem State 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 Winston-Salem State 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 Winston-Salem State University

Other top programs at Winston-Salem State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Winston-Salem State 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 Winston-Salem State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Sciences at Winston-Salem State University?

This program scores 69/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Information Sciences programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $549,547 in decade earnings vs $651,982 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Information Sciences from Winston-Salem State 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.