Management Information Systems and Services at Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ · Public · Certificate

Northern Arizona University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 23,041 students enrolled in Flagstaff, AZ.

Program Analysis

At $48,029 per year, Management Information Systems and Services graduates from Northern Arizona University earn slightly above the $42,803 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 60.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Management Information Systems and Services carry above-average AI exposure (73% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $21,625 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Northern Arizona University ranks #2 among 12 Management Information Systems and Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $48,029-to-$76,164 earnings arc over five years reflects a 59% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (It Project Manager with a median wage of $171,200/yr) connects to Management Information Systems and Services careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
59
Score
63
High End
Earnings $48,029/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (27% shielded)
Job Market Large (68,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$843K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
66.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$12,652
Out-of-state: $28,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,625
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,164
59% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Management Information Systems and Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer programmers $98,670 -6.0% 5%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof
Computer programmers
$98,670
-6.0% growth 5% AI-proof

View all 4 career paths with full salary data →

About Management Information Systems and Services Careers

Your career begins by bridging the gap between a company’s goals and its technology. As a recent graduate, you’ll likely start as a systems analyst or junior database administrator, troubleshooting user issues, running reports, and ensuring information flows securely. From there, your path often splits. You might move into management, where your days are filled with strategy meetings, managing project budgets, and leading teams of technicians and developers. Or you could become a highly-paid technical specialist, like a database architect, using tools like SQL and cloud platforms to design the complex data structures that power an entire organization.

Read the full Management Information Systems and Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Management Information Systems and Services Overview

Management Information Systems and Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northern Arizona University

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northern Arizona University's Management Information Systems and Services program score?
At 59/100, Northern Arizona University's Management Information Systems and Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI affect Management Information Systems and Services careers?
AI won't 'replace' Management Information Systems and Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 73% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Northern Arizona University rank so high for Management Information Systems and Services?
Among 12 Management Information Systems and Services programs, Northern Arizona University's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
How many job openings are there for Management Information Systems and Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Management Information Systems and Services have roughly 68,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →