by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Information Resources Management covers Information Resources Management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Principles Of Information Technology, Computer Systems Management, And Business Operations To The Planning, Management, And Evaluation Of Information Services In Organizations. Includes Instruction In Telecommunications, Systems Planning And Integration, Information Policy, Information Security, Contracting And Purchasing, Budgeting, Information Technology, Operations Management, Human Resources, Communications Skills, And Applicable Law And Regulations. Examples: [Information Management], [Chief Information Officer Training]. Read on to learn the important information every information resources management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering information resources management programs.
In the U.S., information resources management is a widely-pursued major, with 1,218 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Information Resources Management Schools ranking analyzes these 42 schools to determine the best overall colleges for information resources management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of information resources management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Information Resources Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations information resources management graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a information resources management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a information resources management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several information resources management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 148 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,042 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 21 |
People currently working in careers related to information resources management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 46.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 40.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in information resources management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in information resources management can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to information resources management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to information resources management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 58,841 | 10.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of information resources management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,818 |
| 4 years | $76,884 |
| 5 years | $85,819 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for information resources management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers information resources management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $35,659 |
With 42 different information resources management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased information resources management school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in information resources management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Management Information Systems, General | 10,310 |
| Management Information Systems and Services, Other | 338 |
| Knowledge Management | 226 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
