by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Information Science involves the study of Information Science/studies. A Program That Focuses On The Theory, Organization, And Process Of Information Collection, Transmission, And Utilization In Traditional And Electronic Forms. Includes Instruction In Information Classification And Organization; Information Storage And Processing; Transmission, Transfer, And Signaling; Communications And Networking; Systems Planning And Design; Human Interfacing And Use Analysis; Database Development; Information Policy Analysis; And Related Aspects Of Hardware, Software, Economics, Social Factors, And Capacity. Read on to learn the key facts every general information science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general information science programs.
Nationwide, general information science is a popular field of study, with 22,425 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Information Science Schools ranking analyzes these 380 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general information science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general information science programs later in this article.
Studies in General Information Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general information science graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a general information science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general information science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general information science 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 | 539 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,046 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,605 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11,021 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 197 |
People currently working in careers related to general information science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.4% |
| Master’s degree | 17.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.0% |
| Some college courses | 4.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general information science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general information science prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general information science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general information science.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general information science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,846 |
| 4 years | $81,091 |
| 5 years | $90,854 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general information science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general information science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| 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 |
| Blockchain Engineers | $123,667 |
With 380 different general information science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general information science school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
