Compare 92 Information Science/Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $77,675. Top programs: $163,740+.
The highest-earning Information Science/Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $138K earnings gap across 92 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. A regional public can outperform a nationally recognized private — and in this field, several do.
Northwestern University leads the rankings, with Information Science graduates earning $163,740 — more than double the field average of $77,675. But the more revealing finding is what follows: the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, a public institution, lands at #3 with $130,798, nearly matching Boston College's $131,090 at #2. Prestige predicts less than the data suggests.
Northwestern's Information Science graduates borrow just $15,000 in student loans and face a 1.5% payment burden — firmly in the 'Excellent' tier, meaning loan payments are trivial relative to their $163,740 earnings. When family borrowing enters the picture, Michigan delivers a 6.9% family burden, also 'Excellent' — strong earnings paired with low combined debt. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $163,740 | 78 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Excellent |
| #2 | Boston CollegePrivate | $131,090 | 78 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Good |
| #3 | $130,798 | 166 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Excellent | |
| #4 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $113,345 | 155 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Good |
| #5 | $109,092 | 623 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Good | |
| #6 | Albright CollegePrivate | $108,846 | 13 | $27,000 | Excellent | $31,921 | Good |
| #7 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $105,646 | 28 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Good |
| #8 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $105,145 | 22 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Good |
| #9 | University Of UtahPublic | $105,127 | 89 | $19,000 | Excellent | $18,886 | Excellent |
| #10 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $104,842 | 188 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Good |
| #11 | $103,918 | 60 | $21,000 | Excellent | $22,866 | Excellent | |
| #12 | $102,765 | 13 | $20,000 | Excellent | $36,000 | Good | |
| #13 | $100,940 | 68 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Excellent | |
| #14 | Norwich UniversityPrivate | $98,551 | 22 | $25,000 | Excellent | $22,052 | Good |
| #15 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $98,548 | 33 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #16 | $98,270 | 24 | $25,028 | Excellent | $65,597 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $95,435 | 278 | $19,500 | Excellent | $26,987 | Good | |
| #18 | College Of CharlestonPublic | $93,285 | 19 | $23,250 | Excellent | $35,971 | Manageable |
| #19 | $91,671 | 448 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $89,875 | 68 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Good |
| #21 | $89,715 | 160 | $23,704 | Excellent | $18,400 | Good | |
| #22 | $89,459 | 68 | $20,500 | Excellent | $15,265 | Excellent | |
| #23 | $88,842 | 30 | $25,000 | Excellent | $44,122 | Manageable | |
| #24 | $87,757 | 385 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Good | |
| #25 | $87,219 | 169 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,585 | Good |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
