Management Information Systems graduates earn $83,290 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 15.8%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Computer & Information Systems Manager is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Management Information Systems 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 Business and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Management Information Systems is a focused area of study within Business. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $83,290 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 561 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 11,695 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$59,722
Median Earnings · 4yr
$83,290
Colleges Offering
561
Graduates / Year
11,695
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,333
How Much Do Management Information Systems Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Management Information Systems, a typical graduate earns $83,290, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $58,799 and $111,586, 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 $59,722 at one year out to $83,290 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.
$83,290
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$80,822
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Management Information Systems graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.
$58,79925th pct.
$83,290Median
$111,58675th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $83,290 against an estimated $69,332 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 433 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 11,695 students who complete Management Information Systems programs each year, the majority (71%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
71%
Bachelor's71%
Master's19%
Associate's7%
What Can You Do With a Management Information Systems Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Management Information Systems graduates show up in 4 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.
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.
ProgrammingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingQuality Control Analysis
Day-to-day responsibilities
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
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 Management Information Systems
Not sure where to study Management Information Systems? 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 Management Information Systems graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Business Programs
Management Information Systems is not the only path through Business: 21 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 a Management Information Systems program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Management Information Systems Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Management Information Systems a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $83,290 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $59,722 at graduation to $83,290 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +15.8% over the next decade, with Computer & Information Systems Manager among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 65,000 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.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Management Information Systems Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Management Information Systems graduates earn?
$83,290 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $58,799 and $111,586, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Management Information Systems degree?
$59,722 in the first year out. That grows to $83,290 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 a Management Information Systems 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 a Management Information Systems program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Management Information Systems 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 Management Information Systems?
561 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 a Management Information Systems degree worth it?
$83,290 median earnings four years out against $17,333 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 Management Information Systems and Business?
Management Information Systems is the narrower of the two: Business covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Management Information Systems-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 Management Information Systems graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Management Information Systems graduates consistently look for financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Management Information Systems graduates?
It depends on the program. An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths into management and strategy roles, but the return is strongest at selective schools with strong recruiting pipelines, not everywhere. 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 Management Information Systems graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.7% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Computer & Information Systems Manager is among the strongest-growth roles at +15.8%. 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.
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