Information Science/Studies at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA · Public · Associate Degree

A 85% acceptance rate means University of Massachusetts-Lowell is accessible to most applicants, serving 11,632 students in Lowell, MA.

Program Analysis

At $52,706 per year, Information Science/Studies graduates from University of Massachusetts-Lowell significantly outpace the $41,609 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 16.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 1% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Information Science/Studies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $16,496 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #9 ranking among 14 Information Science/Studies programs places University of Massachusetts-Lowell in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
60
Score
62
High End
Earnings $52,706/yr (27% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (32% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$555K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
16.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
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)
$33,140
Out-of-state: $70,792
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,496
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Information Science/Studies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

About Information Science/Studies Careers

You'll likely start your career as a software developer, working on a team to build the apps and websites people use every day. Your days will involve writing and testing code in languages like Python or JavaScript, collaborating with colleagues using project management tools like Jira, and solving complex technical puzzles. As you gain experience, you’ll progress from building individual features to designing entire systems. Many experienced pros advance into management, becoming information systems managers who lead tech teams, set strategy, and oversee major projects.

Read the full Information Science/Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Information Science/Studies Overview

Information Science/Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Information Science/Studies at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Information Science/Studies is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Information Science/Studies?
With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $551,421 in decade earnings vs $554,972 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is there demand for Information Science/Studies workers?
The career paths mapped to Information Science/Studies have roughly 221,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very 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 →