Information Science/Studies.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Why Information Science/Studies. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 47.1%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Information Science/Studies. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $60108 and average student debt of $28313, the financial outlook for Information Science/Studies. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
Wondering if Information Science/Studies. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $60108, and the average student debt is $28313, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.47—a strong position for financial independence.
With an annual graduating class of 20202 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Information Science/Studies. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Information Science (CIP 11.0401) is the study of how people create, manage, store, and find information. While Computer Science focuses on the "machine" and the code, Information Science focuses on the "data" and the human. It is an interdisciplinary field that sits at the intersection of technology, psychology, and organizational management.
This degree is ideal for students who are fascinated by how information affects human behavior and decision-making. It is a path for those who want to organize the world's knowledge and ensure that the right person gets the right information at the exact moment they need it.
What Is an Information Science Degree?
An Information Science degree explores the lifecycle of data. It teaches students how to design systems that are not just technically functional, but also intuitive for human beings to use. The curriculum covers everything from the ethics of data privacy to the complex mathematical structures of databases.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train specialists who can manage massive "big data" environments
- Explore Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to create better user experiences
- Address the social and ethical impacts of information technology
- Develop strategies for organizing digital and physical information in libraries, corporations, and governments
This structure emphasizes the accessibility, usability, and integrity of information.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to look at information as a valuable resource that must be carefully curated and protected.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Design and manage relational databases using SQL
- Conduct user research to see how people interact with websites and apps
- Analyze data using statistical software and programming languages like R or Python
- Organize information using taxonomies, metadata, and classification systems
- Implement security and privacy policies to protect sensitive information
- Build "data visualizations" that make complex numbers easy for anyone to understand
Topics You May Explore
Coursework often bridges the gap between the technical and the social:
- Information Architecture: The "blueprinting" of websites and apps for easy navigation.
- Data Analytics: Finding hidden patterns in large sets of data.
- Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): The psychology behind why we use technology the way we do.
- Database Design: Learning how to structure information so it can be searched quickly.
- Information Policy and Ethics: Laws regarding data privacy, censorship, and digital rights.
- Knowledge Management: How a company captures and shares the expertise of its employees.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Information Science is a high-demand field because every modern organization is drowning in data and needs someone to make sense of it.
Common job roles include:
- Data Analyst: Interpreting numbers to help a business make better decisions.
- User Experience (UX) Designer/Researcher: Making technology easier for people to use.
- Database Administrator: Ensuring that information systems are fast, secure, and accurate.
- Information Architect: Planning the structure of complex websites or digital libraries.
- Digital Archivist: Managing the long-term preservation of digital records.
- Privacy Officer: Ensuring a company complies with data protection laws.
Where Can You Work?
Information scientists find roles in virtually every industry:
- Tech Giants: Designing the algorithms and interfaces for companies like Google or Amazon.
- Healthcare: Managing the complex data found in medical research and patient records.
- Libraries and Museums: Organizing digital collections and physical archives.
- Finance: Using data to predict market trends and manage risk.
- Government & Intelligence: Handling sensitive data for national security or public service.
How Much Can You Earn?
This field offers strong salary potential, especially for those who specialize in data analytics or user experience.
- Database Administrators: Median annual salary of approximately $102,000.
- UX Designers: Salaries typically range from $85,000 to $120,000.
- Data Analysts: Median annual salary of around $82,000–$95,000.
- Information Managers: With experience, salaries often exceed $140,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty in Information Science is not just about the technical skills like coding or math, but about handling ambiguity. You must be comfortable dealing with "messy" data and understanding the unpredictable ways that humans behave. It requires a mix of logical thinking and social empathy.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love organizing things (books, digital files, ideas)
- Are curious about why people use certain apps and ignore others
- Want a tech career but are also interested in psychology and sociology
- Enjoy finding "the needle in the haystack" through research
- Care about privacy and the ethical use of data
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Psychology, Statistics, and Computer Science
- Practice organizing a project or a database (like a collection or a club roster)
- Work on your writing and communication skills
- Look into "UX" or "Information Architecture" blogs to see how pros think
- Volunteer at a library or a local business to help with data or filing systems
A passion for organization and a deep curiosity about the relationship between humans and data are the hallmarks of a successful information scientist.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor