Compare 5 Information Science/Studies. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $69,504.
With top graduates earning $97,364, Information Science/Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $27K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
James Madison University's Information Science/Studies program leads with graduates earning $97,364, well above Virginia's $69,504 average. Christopher Newport University follows at $74,728, while Virginia Commonwealth University delivers $73,990. These outcomes reflect program-specific strengths rather than overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. James Madison graduates borrow $20,093 and face just a 3.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes genuinely affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $97,364 | 168 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Good |
| #2 | $74,728 | 26 | $25,000 | Excellent | $44,122 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $73,990 | 186 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,585 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Radford UniversityPublic | $71,208 | 14 | $24,000 | Excellent | $22,158 | Manageable |
| #5 | Averett UniversityPrivate | $30,228 | 7 | $25,000 | High | $28,045 | 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 →
