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Management Information Systems

BUSINESS Specialization

Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems graduates earn $83,290 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 15.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Computer & Information Systems Manager is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

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About Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems is a focused area of study within Business. Graduates typically earn around $83,290 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 561 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 11,695 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $59,738
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?

Management Information Systems graduates earn $83,290 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,799 and $111,586. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $59,738 climbs to $83,290 by year four.

$59,738

1 Year After Graduation

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

There is a wide earnings spread across Management Information Systems graduates. 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.

$58,799 25th pct.

$83,290 Median

$111,586 75th 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 435 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's 71%

Master's 19%

Associate's 7%

What Can You Do With a Management Information Systems Degree?

Management Information Systems connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Computer & Information Systems Manager leads at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +15.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Computer & Information Systems Manager

$175,140

$138K $221K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 55,600 openings/yr 671K employed nationally

Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Monitoring

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.

↗ +8.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Database Architects

$139,500

$109K $169K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 4,000 openings/yr 67K employed nationally

Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Critical 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.

↘ -6.0% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Computer Programmer

$100,390

$76K $131K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 5,500 openings/yr 92K employed nationally

Programming Active Listening Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Quality 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.

↗ +5.3% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Computer Science Teachers

$96,980

$67K $131K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 3,500 openings/yr 35K employed nationally

Instructing Reading Comprehension Writing Speaking Active Learning

Day-to-day responsibilities

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

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Management Information Systems students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of Georgia Athens, GA · Public	369	37.7%	$13,936	$68,726
2	University of Houston Houston, TX · Public	327	73.9%	$14,276	$62,377
3	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	218	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
4	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public	203	42.4%	$14,355	$81,054
5	University of South Florida Tampa, FL · Public	189	43.2%	$9,812	$57,743
6	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public	178	26.6%	$19,857	$75,121
7	Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public	168	24.2%	$11,297	$61,675
8	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL · Public	154	66.1%	$8,752	$56,746
9	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK · Public	150	76.6%	$15,300	$63,126
10	Baylor University Waco, TX · Nonprofit	140	51.3%	$41,104	$65,793
11	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit	138	99%	$29,357	$44,813
12	University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL · Public	137	88.2%	$18,749	$54,501
13	The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Public	135	76.7%	$22,420	$59,221
14	Benedictine University Lisle, IL · Nonprofit	114	95.2%	$22,313	$63,446
15	Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA · Public	112	90.4%	$14,638	$54,914
16	University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX · Public	109	90%	$10,542	$53,551
17	Wayne State University Detroit, MI · Public	102	81.2%	$12,766	$53,493
18	Colorado State University Global Denver, CO · Public	102	98.4%	$16,510	$76,813
19	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH · Public	100	75.4%	$28,384	$55,076
20	Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa, OK · Public	100	Open	$5,625	$37,566

View all colleges

Ranked by Management Information Systems graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

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.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Management Information Systems degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

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 salary Graduates earn $83,290 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $59,738 at graduation to $83,290 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +15.2% over the next decade, with Computer & Information Systems Manager among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 68,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top 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 areas 1 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?

Management Information Systems graduates earn a national median of $83,290 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,799 and $111,586. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Management Information Systems degree?

One year after graduation, Management Information Systems degree holders earn a median of $59,738. That climbs to $83,290 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Management Information Systems degree?

Management Information Systems degree holders pursue careers including Computer & Information Systems Manager, which pays a median of $175,140/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Management Information Systems program take?

A Management Information Systems bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Management Information Systems?

561 colleges and universities in the United States offer Management Information Systems programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Management Information Systems degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $83,290 and an average net price of roughly $17,333/yr, a Management Information Systems degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Management Information Systems and Business?

Management Information Systems is a focused concentration within the broader Business field. The Business major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Management Information Systems-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Management Information Systems graduates?

Employers hiring Management Information Systems graduates consistently prioritize 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.

Is graduate school worth it for Management Information Systems graduates?

An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths to management and strategy roles. ROI is strongest at selective programs with strong recruiting pipelines. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Management Information Systems graduates?

The job outlook for Management Information Systems graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +5.8% job growth over the next 10 years. Computer & Information Systems Manager is among the strongest-growth roles at +15.2%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.