Information Science graduates earn $85,294 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 21.8%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Computer & Information Research Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Information Science as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Computer Science and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Information Science is a focused area of study within Computer Science. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $85,294 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 473 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 20,202 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$61,514
Median Earnings · 4yr
$85,294
Colleges Offering
473
Graduates / Year
20,202
Avg Net Price / yr
$16,936
How Much Do Information Science Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Information Science, a typical graduate earns $85,294, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $59,774 and $116,854, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $61,514 at one year out to $85,294 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$85,294
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$83,160
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Information Science graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$59,77425th pct.
$85,294Median
$116,85475th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $85,294 against an estimated $67,744 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 308 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 20,202 students who complete Information Science programs each year, the majority (48%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
48%42%
Bachelor's48%
Master's42%
Associate's5%
What Can You Do With an Information Science Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Information Science graduates show up in 6 different occupations, and Computer & Information Systems Manager pays the most at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Judgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingCritical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.
Develop and document database architectures.
Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
ProgrammingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
ProgrammingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.
Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
Top Colleges for Information Science
Not sure where to study Information Science? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Information Science graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Computer Science Programs
Information Science is not the only path through Computer Science: 11 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Information Science program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Information Science a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $85,294 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $61,514 at graduation to $85,294 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +21.8% over the next decade, with Computer & Information Research Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 167,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Information Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Information Science graduates earn?
$85,294 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $59,774 and $116,854, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Information Science degree?
$61,514 in the first year out. That grows to $85,294 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Information Science degree?
Computer & Information Systems Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $175,140 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Information Science program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Information Science bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Information Science?
473 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Information Science degree worth it?
$85,294 median earnings four years out against $16,936 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Information Science and Computer Science?
Information Science is the narrower of the two: Computer Science covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Information Science-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Information Science graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Information Science graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Information Science graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Information Science graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +11.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Computer & Information Research Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +21.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Computer Science Programs
Other programs in Computer Science. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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