by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 882 U.S. colleges awarded 74,551 degrees and certificates in General Computer & Information Sciences. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 45% of graduates. College Factual ranks 552 schools in its 2027 Best General Computer & Information Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $70,428 one year after completing, rising to $93,553 after four years.
A major in General Computer & Information Sciences involves the study of Computer And Information Sciences, General. A General Program That Focuses On Computing, Computer Science, And Information Science And Systems. Such Programs Are Undifferentiated As To Title And Content And Are Not To Be Confused With Specific Programs In Computer Science, Information Science, Or Related Support Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general computer & information sciences is a popular field of study, with 74,551 degrees awarded annually. 882 colleges award general computer & information sciences degrees, an average of 85 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 4,677.
By level, the 74,551 awards include 1,204 certificates, 7,287 associate degrees, 33,435 bachelor’s degrees, 29,594 master’s degrees and 1,008 doctorates.
Women earned 27% of general computer & information sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (20,006 of 74,551). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (23,317) and Asian (11,136), and international students earned 20,429.
College Factual ranks 552 schools in its 2027 Best General Computer & Information Sciences Schools ranking, including 154 for associate degrees, 350 for bachelor’s degrees, 162 for master’s degrees and 40 for doctorates. It also ranks general computer & information sciences schools within 46 states. In all, 882 colleges offer general computer & information sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Computer & Information Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general computer & information sciences credential is the bachelor’s degree: 33,435 of the 74,551 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general computer & information sciences call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Engineering and Technology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general computer & information sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,204 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7,287 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 33,435 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 29,594 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,008 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general computer & information sciences, at 38.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.2% |
| Master’s degree | 17.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 4.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
24 occupations are related to General Computer & Information Sciences, with an average median salary of $106,402; the strongest outlook belongs to Web and Digital Interface Designers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Systems Engineer, Network Engineer, Assistant Professor and Lecturer.
The occupation related to general computer & information sciences with the most projected jobs is Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,328,652.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
General Computer & Information Sciences graduates earn a median $70,428 one year after completing their program, $93,553 after four years and $91,081 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $70,428 |
| 4 years | $93,553 |
| 5 years | $91,081 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general computer & information sciences is Computer and Information Systems Managers, with a median salary of $175,079.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Health Informatics Specialists | $156,714 |
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
General Computer & Information Sciences has 5 similar majors in the Computer & Information Sciences field, which together award 59,147 degrees a year; the largest are Information Technology (48,933), Informatics (3,572) and Computer and Information Sciences, Other (3,012). Browse all Computer & Information Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | 48,933 |
| Informatics | 3,572 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 3,012 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 2,630 |
| Human-Centered Technology Design | 1,000 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
