# Information Science/Studies

> A program that focuses on the theory, organization, and process of information collection, transmission, and utilization in traditional and electronic forms. Includes instruction in information classification and organization; information storage and processing; transmission, transfer, and signaling; communications and networking; systems planning and design; human interfacing and use analysis; database development; information policy analysis; and related aspects of hardware, software, economics, social factors, and capacity.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/information-science-studies
- CIP code: 11.04 (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services)
- Colleges offering it: 265 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 75 | $61,748 | $91,498 | $9,250 |
| Associate's | 90 | $46,583 | $57,643 | $15,246 |
| Bachelor's | 265 | $62,781 | $81,117 | $22,000 |
| Master's | 165 | $86,636 | $102,118 | $41,000 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| First professional | 1 | $174,454 | $209,391 | $58,750 |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 70 | $58,545 | $52,761 | $36,376 |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Northwestern University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northwestern-university-illinois-1966) | Evanston, IL | $163,740 | $17,750 |
| [Boston College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/boston-college-285) | Chestnut Hill, MA | $131,090 | $19,000 |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Ann Arbor, MI | $130,798 | $19,500 |
| [James Madison University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/james-madison-university-1324) | Harrisonburg, VA | $113,345 | $18,546 |
| [Utah Valley University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/utah-valley-university-3103) | Orem, UT | $112,128 | $16,500 |
| [University of Maryland-College Park](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-maryland-college-park-main-campus-2949) | College Park, MD | $109,092 | $14,000 |
| [Clemson University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/clemson-university-572) | Clemson, SC | $105,646 | $25,905 |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Washington, DC | $105,145 | not reported |
| [University of Utah](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-utah-3069) | Salt Lake City, UT | $105,127 | $14,812 |
| [Syracuse University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/syracuse-university-2667) | Syracuse, NY | $104,842 | $20,656 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Computer and Information Systems Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-and-information-systems-managers): $175,140 median pay
- [Computer and Information Research Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-and-information-research-scientists): $140,300 median pay
- [Data Warehousing Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-warehousing-specialists): $139,500 median pay
- [Database Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-architects): $139,500 median pay
- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Blockchain Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/blockchain-engineers): $116,580 median pay
- [Computer Occupations, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-occupations-all-other): $116,580 median pay
- [Computer Systems Engineers/Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-engineers-architects): $116,580 median pay
- [Digital Forensics Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/digital-forensics-analysts): $116,580 median pay
- [Document Management Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/document-management-specialists): $116,580 median pay
- [Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians): $116,580 median pay
- [Information Security Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-security-engineers): $116,580 median pay
- [Information Technology Project Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-technology-project-managers): $116,580 median pay
- [Penetration Testers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/penetration-testers): $116,580 median pay
- [Web Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/web-administrators): $116,580 median pay
- [Video Game Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/video-game-designers): $104,000 median pay
- [Web and Digital Interface Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/web-and-digital-interface-designers): $104,000 median pay
- [Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-science-teachers-postsecondary): $96,980 median pay

## More in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-and-information-sciences-general): 866 colleges
- [Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-science): 751 colleges
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-information-technology-administration-and-management): 642 colleges
- [Computer Software and Media Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-software-and-media-applications): 419 colleges
- [Computer Programming](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-programming): 405 colleges
- [Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-systems-networking-and-telecommunications): 372 colleges
- [Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/data-entry-microcomputer-applications): 109 colleges
- [Data Processing](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/data-processing): 101 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/