College ROI

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General

Computer And Information Systems-General

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Computer And Information Systems-General.

Entry Level Salary
$53,095
Median Salary
$102,000
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
20.1%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $4,080,000
Entry (Early)
$53,095
Median (Prime)
$102,000
High (Prime)
$105,211

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+22k
+421k
+447k
$25k / yr
-68k
+331k
+357k
$50k / yr
-158k
+241k
+267k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
46
25
25
$25k / yr
Never
29
28
$50k / yr
Never
33
33

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
$25k / yr
-63%
305%
329%
$50k / yr
-73%
111%
123%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate25.4%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Software developers

13.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$82,495
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$116,620|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%

Computer occupations, all other

8.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,150
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,491|$108,970
openings
31,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.2%

Computer and information systems managers

5.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$76,011
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$125,536|$171,200
openings
55,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.2%

Computer support specialists

5.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,271
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$71,846|$61,550
openings
50,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2.7%

Management occupations

4.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$92,671
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$129,115|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Computer systems analysts

3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,000|$103,790
openings
34,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%

Network and computer systems administrators

2.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,383|$96,800
openings
14,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -4.2%

Information security analysts

2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$73,158
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$124,910
openings
16,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +28.5%

Computer programmers

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$98,670
openings
5,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -6%

Management analysts

2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,779
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
computational science.Undergrad Certificate2Data N/A
computational science.Bachelor's Degree15Data N/A
computational science.Master's Degree28$137,367 - $151,397
computer software and media applications.Undergrad Certificate218$17,767 - $61,865
computer software and media applications.Associate's Degree233$25,174 - $80,056
computer software and media applications.Bachelor's Degree135$21,309 - $162,114
computer software and media applications.Post-bacc Certificate4$82,592 - $82,592
computer software and media applications.Master's Degree60$84,637 - $179,055
computer software and media applications.Graduate Certificate13$104,433 - $104,433
computer systems analysis.Undergrad Certificate14$50,384 - $50,384
computer systems analysis.Associate's Degree18$54,800 - $74,608
computer systems analysis.Bachelor's Degree45$71,199 - $121,734
computer systems analysis.Post-bacc Certificate1$118,836 - $118,836
computer systems analysis.Master's Degree8$106,494 - $172,353
computer systems analysis.Level 992$46,213 - $46,213
computer systems networking and telecommunications.Undergrad Certificate261$27,760 - $68,014
computer systems networking and telecommunications.Associate's Degree296$37,872 - $83,715
computer systems networking and telecommunications.Bachelor's Degree64$29,382 - $111,413
computer systems networking and telecommunications.Master's Degree26$92,609 - $167,363
computer systems networking and telecommunications.Graduate Certificate12$91,271 - $91,271
computer systems networking and telecommunications.Level 993$54,763 - $54,763
human computer interaction.Undergrad Certificate1$76,267 - $76,267
human computer interaction.Associate's Degree1$42,107 - $42,107
human computer interaction.Bachelor's Degree9$45,823 - $149,149
human computer interaction.Master's Degree19$53,230 - $176,151
human computer interaction.Graduate Certificate3Data N/A