Best colleges for Information Science/Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Information Science/Studies by graduate earnings are Northwestern University ($102,998), Norwich University ($98,551) and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($88,515), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Northwestern University (Evanston, IL): $102,998, 165 graduates a year
- Norwich University (Northfield, VT): $98,551, 50 graduates a year
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI): $88,515, 558 graduates a year
- James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA): $80,173, 135 graduates a year
- Utah Valley University (Orem, UT): $79,918, 44 graduates a year
Compare 369 U.S. colleges offering Information Science/Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Information Science/Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $56,789 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 11.04 and the Computer and Information Research Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Information Science/Studies programs
The Information Science/Studies program focuses on the creation, organization, management, and use of recorded information. It encompasses various professional activities, including information management, librarianship, and archiving, preparing students for careers in these fields. This program is ideal for individuals interested in technology and its application in managing information effectively.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and problem analysis. They gain knowledge in computers and electronics, mathematics, and administration, along with coursework that emphasizes the design and application of technology in information management.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $102,998 | 165 | 95% | $14,799 | $12,000 |
| 2 | Norwich University Northfield, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $98,551 | 50 | 60% | $23,982 | $24,625 |
| 3 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $88,515 | 558 | 93% | — | $20,875 |
| 4 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,173 | 135 | 80% | — | $21,025 |
| 5 | Utah Valley University Orem, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,918 | 44 | 45% | — | $17,599 |
| 6 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,755 | 48 | 78% | $36,004 | $29,125 |
| 7 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,549 | 30 | 87% | — | $25,964 |
| 8 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,090 | 58 | 76% | — | $24,417 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,834 | 216 | 91% | — | $13,294 |
| 10 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,033 | 335 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,694 |
| 11 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,095 | 22 | 68% | $32,713 | $26,417 |
| 12 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,833 | 273 | 65% | — | $24,041 |
| 13 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,344 | 968 | 89% | — | $20,180 |
| 14 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,362 | 145 | 65% | — | $27,820 |
| 15 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,007 | 76 | 76% | — | $19,750 |
| 16 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,827 | 126 | 67% | — | $25,000 |
| 17 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,967 | 26 | 67% | — | $29,000 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,209 | 311 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 19 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,393 | 146 | 64% | — | $25,750 |
| 20 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,382 | 33 | 44% | — | $25,000 |
| 21 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,986 | 220 | 52% | — | $25,750 |
| 22 | Dakota State University Madison, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,636 | 89 | 51% | — | $29,318 |
| 23 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,334 | 438 | 70% | — | $20,633 |
| 24 | College of Charleston Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,069 | 22 | 66% | — | $22,591 |
| 25 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,375 | 135 | 66% | $24,175 | $27,000 |
Specializations within Information Science/Studies
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 11.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 47 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1221, Computer and Information Research Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Information Science/Studies program can expect a promising career outlook, with a projected growth rate of 19.7% and about 3,200 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is approximately $140,910, typically requiring a master's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Information Science/Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 11.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 11.04 (Information Science/Studies) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-3021 | Computer and Information Systems Managers |
| 15-1221 | Computer and Information Research Scientistsprimary |
| 15-1243 | Database Architects |
| 15-1252 | Software Developers |
| 15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designers |
| 15-1299 | Computer Occupations, All Other |
| 25-1021 | Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Information Science/Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Common questions
What is Information Science/Studies?+
It is a program that studies the creation, organization, and management of recorded information.
What skills will I learn?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, problem-solving, and technical skills.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 19.7%.
What level of education is required?+
Typically, a master's degree is required for entry-level positions in this field.
How much do Information Science/Studies graduates earn?+
Information Science/Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $56,789, College Scorecard (2019); the Computer and Information Research Scientists occupation pays about $153,930 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Information Science/Studies?+
Information Science/Studies maps to CIP 11.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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