Compare 23 Information Science/Studies. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $66,564.
Information Science/Studies programs produce graduates earning between $50,439 and $99,659—a $49K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 23 ranked programs in the Midwest, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Information Science program leads with graduates earning $99,659, well above the $66,564 average. But the data tells a broader story: Friends University, a small Kansas institution with 56% acceptance, produces graduates earning $83,607—nearly matching Northwestern's $83,546 despite vastly different admissions profiles.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Northwestern graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 3.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. At Friends University, students borrow $25,000 with a 5.6% burden—still excellent, proving that strong programs can be both accessible and affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $99,659 | 167 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #2 | Friends UniversityPrivate | $83,607 | 6 | $25,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Good |
| #3 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $83,546 | 50 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #4 | $78,415 | 56 | $24,500 | Excellent | $26,392 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $77,909 | 47 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,462 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Emporia State UniversityPublic | $76,076 | 14 | $19,500 | Excellent | $15,050 | Good |
| #7 | $74,356 | 116 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Good | |
| #8 | University Of ToledoPublic | $73,145 | 50 | $22,250 | Excellent | $19,243 | Manageable |
| #9 | $72,975 | 50 | $19,000 | Excellent | $15,945 | Good | |
| #10 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $71,865 | 15 | $23,168 | Excellent | $41,563 | Challenging |
| #11 | Dakota State UniversityPublic | $70,164 | 18 | $23,500 | Excellent | $15,085 | Good |
| #12 | $67,975 | 19 | $21,500 | Excellent | $14,676 | Good | |
| #13 | $63,965 | 182 | $23,000 | Excellent | $16,149 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $63,005 | 10 | $25,000 | Good | $12,953 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $60,359 | 28 | $25,000 | Good | $25,947 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $59,087 | 57 | $21,000 | Excellent | $11,833 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $58,014 | 17 | $27,000 | Good | $41,405 | High |
| #18 | $57,661 | 44 | $21,797 | Good | $16,998 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $56,824 | 12 | $23,250 | Good | $22,000 | Challenging | |
| #20 | Wayne State CollegePublic | $50,439 | 21 | $19,000 | Good | $10,888 | Manageable |
| #21 | $49,625 | 29 | $20,000 | Good | $10,000 | Manageable | |
| #22 | Lincoln UniversityPublic | $42,923 | 14 | $28,875 | Challenging | $14,000 | High |
| #23 | $39,369 | 11 | $18,500 | Manageable | $13,480 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
