by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 371 U.S. colleges awarded 23,384 degrees and certificates in Information Science. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 212 schools in its 2027 Best Information Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $67,236 one year after completing, rising to $91,166 after four years.
If you are interested in the role technology plays in business, you may be interested in studying Information Science.
Information Science professionals not only know how computers and programs work, but they are able to understand the role technology plays in the business world and how people interact with it. Whether it be creating software or developing a website, Information Science professionals work to make this technology user friendly so it can be effectively utilized.
Some classes that Information Science majors take while working on this degree include computer science, programming, multimedia systems, information retrieval and data processing, computer engineering, web design, and statistics. Students will also take classes in business to help them understand how Information Science aids business processes.
Studying Information Science involves the study of Information Science/studies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., information science is a widely-pursued major, with 23,384 degrees awarded annually. 371 colleges award information science degrees, an average of 63 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,681.
By level, the 23,384 awards include 523 certificates, 892 associate degrees, 9,926 bachelor’s degrees, 11,792 master’s degrees and 237 doctorates.
Women earned 37% of information science degrees and certificates in the latest year (8,673 of 23,384). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,216) and Asian (3,221), and international students earned 7,945.
College Factual ranks 212 schools in its 2027 Best Information Science Schools ranking, including 22 for associate degrees, 126 for bachelor’s degrees, 100 for master’s degrees and 8 for doctorates. It also ranks information science schools within 37 states. In all, 371 colleges offer information science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Information Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common information science credential is the master’s degree: 11,792 of the 23,384 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to information science 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.
A background in computers and systems will aid those who decide to pursue a career in Information Science. Strong analytical skills will help you decide how to tackle problems with information systems or how to use this technology to complete a project, while communications skills will allow you to share information between the IT department and management. Other necessary skills include creativity when developing programs to accomplish certain tasks and the ability to work as part of a team.
Information Science professionals typically work full time, but may work more than 40 hours a week depending on projects or other job requirements.
Along with a degree in Information Science, some employers prefer applicants who have a background in business. The combination of the two areas will further a student's understanding of how the areas work together and allow them to build programs that accomplish tasks more effectively.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an information science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 523 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 892 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,926 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11,792 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 237 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to information science, at 38.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.4% |
| Master’s degree | 17.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.0% |
| Some college courses | 4.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
18 occupations are related to Information Science, with an average median salary of $109,025; the strongest outlook belongs to Software Developers, at 13.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Systems Engineer, Java Programming Professor, Computer Information Systems Instructor (CIS Instructor) and Information Systems Professor (IS Professor).
Although computer systems design firms employ a large majority of graduates, others have gone into finance, insurance, management roles in businesses, or work for the government. This major teaches students how business and technology work together making graduates assets to many different types of organizations.
As computers and technology are becoming more heavily relied on in the business world, organizations are raising the demand for Information Science professionals.
The occupation related to information science 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% |
Information Science graduates earn a median $67,236 one year after completing their program, $91,166 after four years and $91,671 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,236 |
| 4 years | $91,166 |
| 5 years | $91,671 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to information science 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 |
| 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 |
| Blockchain Engineers | $123,667 |
Information Science includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Information Science/Studies (23,384). It has 10 similar majors in the Computer & Information Sciences field, which together award 354,831 degrees a year; the largest are Computer and Information Sciences, General (133,698), Computer Science (90,046) and Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (72,883). Browse all Computer & Information Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies | 23,384 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 133,698 |
| Computer Science | 90,046 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 72,883 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 16,765 |
| Computer Programming | 16,655 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 16,354 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | 3,052 |
| Data Processing | 2,593 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | 2,235 |
| Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications | 550 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
