by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Computer & Information Sciences involves the study of Computer And Information Sciences, General. A General Program That Focuses On Computing, Computer Science, And Information Science And Systems. Such Programs Are Undifferentiated As To Title And Content And Are Not To Be Confused With Specific Programs In Computer Science, Information Science, Or Related Support Services. Continue reading for the essential details every general computer & information sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general computer & information sciences programs.
Nationwide, general computer & information sciences is a popular field of study, with 67,926 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Computer & Information Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 882 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general computer & information sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general computer & information sciences programs later in this article.
Studies in General Computer & Information Sciences build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general computer & information sciences graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a general computer & information sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general computer & information sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general computer & information sciences 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 | 1,132 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6,410 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 29,039 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 28,553 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 878 |
People currently working in careers related to general computer & information sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.2% |
| Master’s degree | 17.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 4.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general computer & information sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general computer & information sciences can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general computer & information sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general computer & information sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general computer & information sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $69,148 |
| 4 years | $77,570 |
| 5 years | $88,131 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general computer & information sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general computer & information sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Health Informatics Specialists | $156,714 |
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
With 882 different general computer & information sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general computer & information sciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in general computer & information sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | 42,322 |
| Informatics | 3,067 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 2,635 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 1,653 |
| Human-Centered Technology Design | 778 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
