Information Science
Quick Facts: Information Science Training
Where it's offered
Information Science programs are offered at 14 schools across 7 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $41,609/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship pathway related to Information Science — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 14 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 49/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Information Science Graduates Do
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.
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The demand for these skills is immense, fueling some of the fastest-growing job markets in the economy. This translates to a strong starting salary with a clear path to a high six-figure income as you specialize or move into leadership. While AI tools are changing the work by automating routine coding, they aren't eliminating the need for experts. This shift elevates your role, freeing you to focus on what’s hardest to automate: architecting complex systems, understanding user needs, and leading creative teams to solve unique problems.
You may also want to compare Information Science with Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, and Information Sciences on earnings and ROI.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship occupation related to Information Science. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
It Project Manager
RAPIDS 1048CB |
Competency | Competency | $134K – $171,200 – $216K | 15.2% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Information Science Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Information Science is offered at 14 schools across 7 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Information Science Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Information Science programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
14 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, MD |
75 62–78 |
| 2 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN |
75 66–77 |
| 3 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH |
73 61–76 |
| 4 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN |
71 63–73 |
| 5 | Clayton State University Morrow, GA |
65 57–67 |
| 6 | Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY |
63 51–66 |
| 7 | University of Cincinnati-Clermont College Batavia, OH |
62 50–65 |
| 8 | University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College Blue Ash, OH |
62 49–64 |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA |
60 51–62 |
| 10 | ITI Technical College Baton Rouge, LA |
56 46–58 |
| 11 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH |
56 44–58 |
| 12 | Onondaga Community College Syracuse, NY |
55 45–58 |
| 13 | Zane State College Zanesville, OH |
54 43–56 |
| 14 | Ace Institute of Technology New York, NY |
50 41–53 |
Highest Earning Information Science Programs
Schools where Information Science graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County | $60,020/yr | 75 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | $54,649/yr | 71 |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | $52,706/yr | 60 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | $46,815/yr | 75 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | $45,238/yr | 73 |
| Clayton State University | $43,702/yr | 65 |
| ITI Technical College | $39,046/yr | 56 |
| Hudson Valley Community College | $38,906/yr | 63 |
| University of Cincinnati-Clermont College | $37,961/yr | 62 |
| University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | $37,961/yr | 62 |
Best ROI for Information Science
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Information Science.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | 94.3x | $46,815/yr | 75 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | 84.2x | $45,238/yr | 73 |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County | 77.4x | $60,020/yr | 75 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | 49.9x | $54,649/yr | 71 |
| Hudson Valley Community College | 46.8x | $38,906/yr | 63 |
| University of Cincinnati-Clermont College | 46.7x | $37,961/yr | 62 |
| University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | 43.7x | $37,961/yr | 62 |
| Clayton State University | 42.1x | $43,702/yr | 65 |
| Onondaga Community College | 35.8x | $31,342/yr | 55 |
| Zane State College | 34.9x | $29,311/yr | 54 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Information Science degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.