College Rankings

Best Information Science Schools

The top 25 of 112 U.S. colleges offering an undergraduate Information Science degree, ranked by early-career earnings and return on investment — using each school's real, aid-adjusted net price rather than sticker tuition.

Is Information Science worth it?

For students who want a lucrative tech career without surviving the brutal theoretical math gauntlet of a pure computer science degree, Information Science is one of the smartest bets in higher education. The degree reliably pays off, but the path to maximum value is incredibly concentrated in state university systems located near major tech corridors. You don't need a prestigious private school to make this work; the highest financial returns overwhelmingly belong to graduates of low-cost public universities who step directly into regional tech hubs and government contracting roles.

Filter by state

#	School	State	Score	Median earnings	Net price / yr	10-yr net ROI
1	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	MI	87	$88,515	$13,138†	+$833K
2	Utah Valley University	UT	86	$79,918	$6,376†	+$774K
3	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	NC	85	$75,834	$11,655†	+$712K
4	University of Utah	UT	83	$70,833	$16,200†	+$644K
5	University of Maryland-College Park	MD	83	$70,344	$15,678†	+$641K
6	James Madison University	VA	82	$80,173	$23,322†	+$708K
7	Stony Brook University	NY	81	$68,007	$18,784†	+$605K
8	Grand Valley State University	MI	81	$66,967	$16,317†	+$604K
9	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny	PA	81	$66,209	$15,521†	+$600K
10	University of Maryland-Baltimore County	MD	81	$63,334	$16,467†	+$567K
11	Utah State University	UT	81	$61,896	$14,936†	+$559K
12	University of Maryland Global Campus	MD	80	$72,140	$22,063†	+$633K
13	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	CO	80	$67,827	$21,279†	+$593K
14	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre	PA	80	$66,209	$16,448†	+$596K
15	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver	PA	80	$66,209	$17,418†	+$592K
16	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois	PA	80	$66,209	$17,428†	+$592K
17	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton	PA	80	$66,209	$17,597†	+$592K
18	New Jersey Institute of Technology	NJ	80	$61,739	$16,504†	+$551K
19	Albright College	PA	79	$80,329	$20,024	+$723K
20	University of Massachusetts-Lowell	MA	79	$68,362	$17,163†	+$615K
21	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington	PA	79	$66,209	$18,305†	+$589K
22	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton	PA	79	$66,209	$17,910†	+$590K
23	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley	PA	79	$66,209	$18,220†	+$589K
24	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto	PA	79	$66,209	$19,454†	+$584K
25	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington	PA	79	$66,209	$18,071†	+$590K
26	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill	PA	79	$66,209	$19,659†	+$583K
27	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York	PA	79	$66,209	$19,047†	+$586K
28	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus	PA	79	$66,209	$19,550†	+$584K
29	The University of Texas at Arlington	TX	79	$57,756	$13,951†	+$522K
30	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College	NY	79	$51,864	$3,033†	+$507K
31	Boston College	MA	78	$80,731	$41,704	+$640K
32	Missouri University of Science and Technology	MO	78	$65,393	$16,298†	+$589K
33	Kennesaw State University	GA	78	$63,986	$15,048†	+$580K
34	University of Illinois Chicago	IL	78	$58,651	$10,974†	+$543K
35	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg	PA	77	$66,209	$23,330†	+$569K
36	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine	PA	77	$66,209	$22,585†	+$572K
37	Metropolitan State University	MN	77	$64,382	$16,863†	+$576K
38	Salisbury University	MD	77	$61,290	$17,743†	+$542K
39	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown	PA	77	$59,951	$18,202†	+$527K
40	University of Nebraska at Omaha	NE	77	$58,757	$13,441†	+$534K
41	Rutgers University-Newark	NJ	77	$56,360	$19,703†	+$485K
42	Texas Tech University	TX	77	$55,081	$19,070†	+$475K
43	CUNY Lehman College	NY	77	$50,133	$3,148†	+$489K
44	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks	PA	76	$66,209	$24,356†	+$565K
45	Drexel University	PA	75	$78,755	$38,509	+$634K
46	Fort Hays State University	KS	75	$56,399	$12,569†	+$514K
47	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	NJ	75	$56,360	$24,406†	+$466K
48	Georgia Southern University	GA	75	$52,435	$15,267†	+$463K
49	California State University-Fullerton	CA	75	$49,897	$6,555†	+$473K
50	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	OH	74	$68,864	$25,648†	+$586K
51	Virginia Commonwealth University	VA	74	$62,116	$23,433†	+$527K
52	Christopher Newport University	VA	74	$58,550	$23,015†	+$493K
53	University of Toledo	OH	74	$50,920	$17,249†	+$440K
54	Towson University	MD	74	$50,067	$17,413†	+$431K
55	Emporia State University	KS	74	$48,438	$16,261†	+$419K
56	Dakota State University	SD	73	$63,636	$21,057†	+$552K
57	University of South Alabama	AL	73	$56,344	$17,648†	+$493K
58	University of South Carolina-Upstate	SC	73	$48,664	$13,557†	+$432K
59	Radford University	VA	73	$46,446	$14,578†	+$406K
60	CUNY New York City College of Technology	NY	73	$45,790	$5,127†	+$437K
61	Murray State University	KY	73	$43,178	$9,096†	+$395K
62	Syracuse University	NY	72	$73,033	$38,793	+$575K
63	Florida Institute of Technology	FL	72	$59,368	$35,639	+$451K
64	Pace University	NY	72	$52,116	$30,892	+$398K
65	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	WI	72	$51,582	$15,014†	+$456K
66	Norwich University	VT	71	$98,551	$22,257	+$896K
67	University of California-Riverside	CA	71	$76,090	$14,304†	+$704K
68	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	PA	71	$66,209	$32,875†	+$531K
69	Stockton University	NJ	71	$56,594	$20,670†	+$483K
70	SUNY Buffalo State University	NY	71	$49,686	$11,346†	+$451K
71	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	PA	71	$49,369	$19,608†	+$415K
72	DePaul University	IL	70	$60,468	$30,902	+$481K
73	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	PA	70	$59,951	$30,434†	+$478K
74	Northwestern University	IL	69	$102,998	$29,167	+$913K
75	Eastern Florida State College	FL	69	$57,313	$6,440†	+$547K
76	Suffolk University	MA	69	$56,780	$29,618	+$449K
77	Ramapo College of New Jersey	NJ	69	$49,568	$18,173†	+$423K
78	CUNY Brooklyn College	NY	67	$49,688	$3,103†	+$484K
79	Colorado State University Pueblo	CO	67	$44,712	$10,051†	+$407K
80	Clemson University	SC	66	$76,549	$22,253†	+$676K
81	SUNY Old Westbury	NY	66	$56,333	$11,282†	+$518K
82	Westfield State University	MA	66	$52,728	$16,721†	+$460K
83	University of Akron Main Campus	OH	65	$56,824	$13,946†	+$512K
84	Valdosta State University	GA	65	$51,888	$10,945†	+$475K
85	University of North Georgia	GA	65	$50,539	$9,823†	+$466K
86	Cleveland State University	OH	64	$57,661	$14,764†	+$518K
87	Savannah State University	GA	64	$46,840	$8,172†	+$436K
88	SUNY Polytechnic Institute	NY	64	$42,604	$14,164†	+$369K
89	College of Charleston	SC	63	$63,069	$18,960†	+$555K
90	Morgan State University	MD	63	$55,711	$14,985†	+$497K
91	University of Michigan-Flint	MI	62	$44,184	$7,007†	+$414K
92	University of North Texas	TX	61	$52,449	$15,649†	+$462K
93	Robert Morris University	PA	60	$62,375	$23,003	+$532K
94	Wentworth Institute of Technology	MA	59	$72,095	$34,170	+$584K
95	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	OH	59	$60,359	$24,022†	+$508K
96	State University of New York at Oswego	NY	59	$50,862	$16,236†	+$444K
97	Wayne State College	NE	59	$49,981	$15,360†	+$438K
98	Bradley University	IL	58	$58,014	$22,719	+$489K
99	SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill	NY	58	$43,246	$18,701†	+$358K
100	Minnesota State University Moorhead	MN	57	$49,625	$17,997†	+$424K
101	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	AR	57	$48,964	$17,248†	+$421K
102	Elizabethtown College	PA	56	$56,789	$26,598	+$461K
103	University of Kentucky	KY	56	$49,165	$18,851†	+$416K
104	Northern Kentucky University	KY	54	$31,390	$8,191†	+$281K
105	Coastal Carolina University	SC	54	$31,322	$13,966†	+$257K
106	Pennsylvania Western University	PA	52	$34,772	$18,256†	+$275K
107	Xavier University	OH	51	$49,285	$32,997	+$361K
108	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay	WI	51	$41,041	$13,369†	+$357K
109	University of Baltimore	MD	49	$37,417	$13,868†	+$319K
110	Western Oregon University	OR	45	$39,320	$17,237†	+$324K
111	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota	MN	33	$25,534	$11,704	+$209K
112	Alabama State University	AL	31	$30,651	$20,435†	+$225K

Top 10 programs by 10-year net ROI

How to read this: Median earnings = typical pay one year after graduation. Net price = average annual cost after grant aid, incl. living costs — not sticker tuition. 10-yr net ROI = ten years of earnings minus four years of net price. Score = the CollegeRanked Score (0–100) that sets the order — it blends ROI with longer-run earnings, job demand and automation resilience, so a school can outrank one with a slightly higher 10-yr ROI. † = public university — net price shown is the in-state cost; out-of-state students pay more. See the full methodology.

Why these schools rank where they do

The University of Michigan takes the #1 spot because its School of Information (UMSI) operates as a premier talent pipeline for both Silicon Valley and Chicago's corporate tech scene. Its project-based curriculum and massive alumni network mean graduates routinely bypass entry-level IT desk roles to land high-paying UX design and data analytics positions at Fortune 500 companies right out of the gate.

The most striking trend on this list is the absolute dominance of Utah, with Utah Valley University at #2, the University of Utah at #4, and Utah State at #11. This is the "Silicon Slopes" effect in action. The booming tech sector between Salt Lake City and Provo is starving for data professionals, and these state schools feed that local demand perfectly, resulting in massive wage premiums for graduates who paid remarkably low in-state tuition.

You will also notice Penn State swallowing nearly half the list—but not the flagship University Park campus. Instead, regional commonwealth campuses like Greater Allegheny, Wilkes-Barre, and Beaver dominate. Students here earn the highly respected Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) degree but pay significantly lower tuition, driving their net value through the roof when they tap into the same statewide employer network. Similarly, schools like UNC-Chapel Hill (#3) and the University of Maryland cohort (#5, #10, #12) thrive because they sit directly adjacent to massive employer hubs: the Research Triangle Park and the D.C. federal cybersecurity corridor, respectively.

What is Information Science?

Information science is the bridge between raw code and human behavior. Instead of just writing software, graduates design databases, optimize user experiences, and build information systems that help organizations actually make sense of their data. Day-to-day, they work as UX researchers, data analysts, and IT project managers, translating technical capabilities into business solutions.

Frequently asked questions

How is Information Science different from Computer Science?

Computer science focuses on software engineering, algorithms, and computing theory. Information science focuses on how people interact with technology, data management, and user experience. If CS is about building the engine, Info Sci is about designing the dashboard and analyzing where the car is going. It requires significantly less advanced math and leans heavier on applied tech, psychology, and business.

Do I need to know how to code?

Yes, but not to the level of a software engineer. You will need to be comfortable with Python for data manipulation, SQL for managing databases, and basic web languages to understand user interfaces. You won't be writing complex operating systems, but you need enough programming fluency to build functional data systems and communicate effectively with developers.

What job titles do graduates actually get?

The field is broad, but the most common entry-level titles include Data Analyst, UX/UI Designer, Information Architect, IT Consultant, and Systems Analyst. Because every modern company relies on massive amounts of data, these roles exist in every industry from healthcare to finance to retail.

Why are there so few famous private colleges on this list?

Information Science is a highly practical, applied field where employers care about your portfolio, database skills, and internships—not institutional prestige. Regional state schools offer the exact same technical baseline as expensive private colleges but at a fraction of the cost, making them the ultimate ROI play for tech-minded students.