by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Information Systems involves the study of Computer Systems Analysis/analyst. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Programming And Systems Analysis Principles To The Selection, Implementation, And Troubleshooting Of Customized Computer And Software Installations Across The Life Cycle. Includes Instruction In Computer Hardware And Software; Compilation, Composition, Execution, And Operating Systems; Low- And High-Level Languages And Language Programming; Programming And Debugging Techniques; Installation And Maintenance Testing And Documentation; Process And Data Flow Analysis; User Needs Analysis And Documentation; Cost-Benefit Analysis; And Specification Design. Read on to learn the important information every information systems student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering information systems programs.
Across the country, information systems is a popular field of study, with 3,034 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Information Systems Schools ranking analyzes these 81 schools to determine the best overall colleges for information systems students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of information systems programs later in this article.
Programs in Information Systems develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations information systems graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a information systems program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a information systems major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several information systems 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 | 14 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 133 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 947 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,933 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to information systems tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 30.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 19.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in information systems careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in information systems opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to information systems.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to information systems.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Health Informatics Specialists | 415,445 | 3.5% |
| Database Architects | 335,771 | 4.3% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialists | 242,585 | 5.7% |
| Computer Network Architects | 144,537 | -0.0% |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 142,406 | 8.2% |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | 128,152 | -3.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of information systems graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $53,073 |
| 4 years | $65,915 |
| 5 years | $75,229 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for information systems graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers information systems grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Informatics Specialists | $156,714 |
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialists | $117,478 |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | $117,424 |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | $107,799 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $71,253 |
| Computer Network Architects | $63,411 |
With 81 different information systems programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased information systems school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
