by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 371 U.S. colleges awarded 23,384 degrees and certificates in General Information Science. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 212 schools in its 2027 Best General 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.
A major in General Information Science involves the study of 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general information science is a popular field of study, with 23,384 degrees awarded annually. 371 colleges award general 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 general 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 General 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 general information science schools within 37 states. In all, 371 colleges offer general information science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Information Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general information science credential is the master’s degree: 11,792 of the 23,384 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general 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 general 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 General 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, College Professor and Computer Information Systems Professor (CIS Professor).
The occupation related to general 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% |
General 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 general 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
