Best institutions to study Informatics
A program that focuses on computer systems from a user-centered perspective and studies the structure, behavior and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process and communicate information.
71 U.S. institutions graduated 3,531 Informatics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.0104, a specialization of Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01), and leads most directly to the Computer and Information Research Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 15-1221).
About Informatics programs
A program that focuses on computer systems from a user-centered perspective and studies the structure, behavior and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process and communicate information. Includes instruction in information sciences, human computer interaction, information system analysis and design, telecommunications structure and information architecture and management.
See also: 26.1103 - Bioinformatics., 51.2706 - Medical Informatics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Informatics program, a part of Computer and Information Sciences, focuses on computer systems from a user-centered perspective. It examines the structure, behavior, and interactions of both natural and artificial systems that store, process, and communicate information. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of technology and human interaction.
Students in the Informatics program gain essential skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. Coursework typically covers information sciences, human-computer interaction, information system analysis and design, and telecommunications structure, equipping graduates with the knowledge to innovate in technology applications.
Credentials awarded
What Informatics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,644 graduates / yr · 43 institutions47%
- Master's degree1,632 graduates / yr · 30 institutions46%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship84 graduates / yr · 12 institutions2.4%
- Associate's degree66 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate56 graduates / yr · 9 institutions1.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years25 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year23 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.7%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Informatics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 461 |
| 2013 | 764 |
| 2014 | 1,003 |
| 2015 | 1,118 |
| 2016 | 1,306 |
| 2017 | 1,571 |
| 2018 | 1,885 |
| 2019 | 2,024 |
| 2020 | 2,404 |
| 2021 | 2,670 |
| 2022 | 2,651 |
| 2023 | 2,745 |
| 2024 | 3,033 |
| 2025 | 3,531 |
Top 50 institutions for Informatics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 373 | 85% | — | $73,385 |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 345 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 3 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 329 | 80% | — | $62,350 |
| 4 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 224 | 84% | $28,851 | $82,378 |
| 5 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 174 | 87% | — | $53,517 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 159 | 86% | — | $84,050 |
| 7 | Clark University Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 153 | 77% | $23,332 | — |
| 8 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 144 | 54% | — | $54,564 |
| 9 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicBachelor's | 143 | 61% | — | $49,759 |
| 10 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 134 | 85% | — | $49,298 |
| 11 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 129 | 80% | $24,886 | $64,436 |
| 12 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 122 | — | — | $115,587 |
| 13 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 99 | 40% | — | $36,178 |
| 14 | Judson University Elgin, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 90 | 60% | $25,200 | — |
| 15 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 89 | 70% | $28,133 | $71,358 |
| 16 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 80 | 88% | $29,023 | $87,608 |
| 17 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 79 | 89% | — | $111,587 |
| 18 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor's | 75 | 83% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 68 | 68% | — | $49,392 |
| 20 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 63 | 53% | — | $40,583 |
| 21 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicMaster's | 54 | 69% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's | 36 | 21% | $15,478 | $59,291 |
| 23 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 68% | — | $71,183 |
| 24 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 75% | — | $60,199 |
| 25 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 25 | 49% | — | $55,172 |
| 26 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FLPublicBachelor's | 22 | 69% | — | $61,941 |
| 27 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 21 | 66% | — | $59,430 |
| 28 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 61% | — | — |
| 29 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicMaster's | 15 | 56% | — | — |
| 30 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FLPublicBachelor's | 15 | 57% | — | — |
| 31 | St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 48% | $25,464 | — |
| 32 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 47% | — | $58,750 |
| 33 | Indiana University - Southeast New Albany, INPublicBachelor's | 12 | 39% | — | — |
| 34 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 12 | 74% | $49,088 | — |
| 35 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 12 | 65% | $28,911 | $56,258 |
| 36 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 12 | 55% | — | $55,977 |
| 37 | Dominican University River Forest, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 55% | $16,176 | — |
| 38 | Indiana University - Kokomo Kokomo, INPublicBachelor's | 9 | 46% | — | $43,500 |
| 39 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicMaster's | 7 | 64% | — | $69,633 |
| 40 | Indiana University - East Richmond, INPublicBachelor's | 7 | 40% | — | — |
| 41 | Indiana University - South Bend South Bend, INPublicBachelor's | 6 | 40% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 6 | 93% | — | $113,634 |
| 43 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicDoctoral | 5 | 91% | — | $90,651 |
| 44 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 90% | — | — |
| 45 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 34% | — | $84,050 |
| 46 | Emporia State University Emporia, KSPublicMaster's | 4 | 56% | — | — |
| 47 | MidAmerica Nazarene University Olathe, KSPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 54% | $28,845 | — |
| 48 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 55% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Greensburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 40% | — | $49,298 |
| 50 | Indiana University - Northwest Gary, INPublicBachelor's | 3 | 37% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer and Information Sciences field (CIP 11.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 27 states
Where Informatics graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer and Information Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1221, Computer and Information Research Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Informatics program can pursue careers as Computer and Information Research Scientists, Software Developers, and Web Designers, among others. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 19.7% and approximately 3,200 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is around $140,910, with many positions requiring a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.0104
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer and Information Research Scientistsprimary SOC 15-1221 | $140,300 | +19.7% Much faster than average | ~3,200 | Master's degree |
Software Developers SOC 15-1252 | $135,980 | +15.8% Much faster than average | ~115,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers SOC 15-1253 | $104,300 | +10.0% Much faster than average | ~14,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Web and Digital Interface Designers SOC 15-1255 | $104,000 | +7.0% Faster than average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Informatics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Design computers and the software that runs them.
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer and Information Sciences specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01).
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.010173,454 graduates / yr879 institutions
- Information TechnologyCIP 11.010348,440 graduates / yr671 institutions
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.01992,981 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Artificial IntelligenceCIP 11.01022,576 graduates / yr122 institutions
- Human-Centered Technology DesignCIP 11.0105998 graduates / yr33 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Informatics?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Informatics.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You'll develop skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with an Informatics degree?+
You can work as a Computer Research Scientist, Software Developer, or Web Designer.
What is the job outlook for Informatics graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 19.7%.
What is the CIP code for Informatics?+
Informatics is CIP 11.0104 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on computer systems from a user-centered perspective and studies the structure, behavior and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process and communicate information. Includes instruction in information sciences, human computer interaction, information system analysis and design, telecommunications structure and information architecture and management.
How many institutions offer Informatics programs?+
71 U.S. institutions reported Informatics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 27 states, awarding 3,531 credentials in the year. That is 2.7% of all Computer and Information Sciences graduates.
How much do Informatics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer and Information Research Scientists occupation, which Informatics most directly leads to, pays a median of $140,300 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer and Information Sciences field report median earnings of $61,046 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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