2021 Management Information Systems Degree Guide

Information systems are used in every business. They collect, process, filter, and create data that the organization uses internally. Whether it is to keep track of inventory or manage an employee's status and salary, these information systems are critical to the success of businesses.

The study of Management Information Systems (MIS) educates students on the networks, software and hardware of these systems. Students will be prepared to manage these systems for processing and retrieving internal business information.

There are two concentrations within this major; they include Information Resources Management and Knowledge Management. While studying this major, you will be taking various courses; they include emerging technologies, networks and telecommunication, financial information systems, data base design, and ecommerce. These classes will help you understand the functions for these Information Systems and how they are used in business.

An Increase in Management Information Systems Degrees

In 2018-2019, management information systems was the 69th most popular major nationwide with 14,747 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 169 over the prior year, a growth of 1.1%.

There are 385 schools offering degrees in management information systems in the United States. Our 2021 Best Colleges for Management Information Systems ranking analyzes 99 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for management information systems students. Explore this or one of our many other custom MIS rankings further below.

Management Information Systems Degree Requirements

If you are interested in technology, this major is for you. You will constantly be working with databases and computers. You will spend long hours developing and debugging programs; tasks that require patience and focus.

In this essential business role, you will serve as the bridge between people and technology. Efficient communication will aid you greatly. Work on your speaking and writing skills in college so you will be able to effectively explain technological issues to the average person.

MIS Degree Program Entry Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most MIS degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific MIS careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.

Types of Management Information Systems Degrees

MIS degree levels vary. Management Information Systems programs offered by schools range from a associate's to a research/scholarship based doctorate, which is the highest MIS degree you can get. The type of MIS degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.

Degree	Credit Requirements	Typical Program Length
Associate Degree	60-70 credits	2 years
Bachelor’s Degree	120 credits	4 years
Master’s Degree	50-70 credits	1-3 years
Doctorate	Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation	At least 4 years

A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to MIS, with approximately 67.9% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to MIS tend obtained the following education levels.

Level of Education	Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree	66.2%
Some College Courses	15.2%
Master’s Degree	8.0%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	5.3%
Post-Secondary Certificate	3.1%

Most workers in MIS have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in management information systems careers have.

The education level required is different depending on the MIS career you are seeking.

MIS Careers

With a degree in Management Information Systems graduates can enter into a few different careers. Some of the job titles graduates achieve are Computer Systems Analyst, Database Administrator, Computer and Information Systems Manager, and Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst. These professionals help businesses with their systems and assist managers and employees to understand them.

Growth Projected for MIS Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your MIS degree? Management Information Systems careers are expected to grow 3.5% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to management information systems.

Occupation Name	Projected Jobs	Expected Growth
Computer and Information Systems Managers	411,800	12.0%
Computer Programmers	273,600	-7.2%

MIS Degree Salary Potential

Recently graduated management information systems students earned an average of $55,929 in 2017-2018. Earnings can range from as low as $10,500 to as high as $146,500. As you might expect, salaries for MIS graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

Highest Paid MIS Careers

Salaries for management information systems graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers MIS grads often go into.

Occupation Name	Median Average Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$152,860
Computer Programmers	$89,580

Getting Your Management Information Systems Degree

With over 1,052 different MIS degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased MIS school rankings to help you with this.

Study Areas in Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.

Most Popular Related Majors

Related Major	Annual Graduates
Business Administration & Management	410,147
Accounting	105,123
General Business/Commerce	58,451
Finance & Financial Management	56,186
Marketing	51,241

View All MIS Related Majors >

References

• National Center for Education Statistics

• O*NET Online

• Image Credit: By Dzonatas under License More about our data sources and methodologies.