Best colleges for Information Science/Studies in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University and George Mason University award the most Information Science/Studies degrees in Virginia: 199, 135 and 127 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Virginia colleges offer Information Science/Studies and award 515 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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,…
Top 6 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,173 | 135 | 80% | — | $21,025 |
| 2 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,116 | 199 | 63% | — | $24,364 |
| 3 | Strayer University - Virginia Arlington Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online Small program | $71,167 | 15 | 36% | — | $53,250 |
| 4 | Christopher Newport University Newport News Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $58,550 | 19 | 72% | — | $26,000 |
| 5 | Radford University Radford Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,446 | 2 | 49% | — | — |
| 6 | South University - Richmond Glen Allen Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,682 | 1 | 42% | $26,545 | $52,173 |
Colleges awarding the most Information Science/Studies degrees in Virginia
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 199 | $62,116 |
| 2 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 135 | $80,173 |
| 3 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 127 | Not reported |
| 4 | Christopher Newport University Newport News Public | 19 | $58,550 |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 6 | Regent University Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 7 | Averett University Danville Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | Hampton University Hampton Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | Radford University Radford Public | 2 | $46,446 |
| 10 | South University - Richmond Glen Allen Private for-profit | 1 | $44,682 |
ShowHide the other 1 Virginia colleges offering Information Science/Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strayer University - Virginia (Online) | Arlington | Private for-profit | 15 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221).
Top skills
What Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Information Science/Studies programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Information Science/Studies degrees?+
Virginia Commonwealth University (199 graduates a year), James Madison University (135 graduates a year) and George Mason University (127 graduates a year) award the most Information Science/Studies degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Virginia colleges offer Information Science/Studies.
Which Information Science/Studies program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, James Madison University tops the list at $80,173. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Virginia is $164,260 (median $157,390), across about 3,590 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Information Science/Studies program?+
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,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Computer and Information Research Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about +19.7% growth with around 3,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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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