Information Science at Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Information Science/Studies
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,731/yr (36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)
ROI 4.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #56 of 129 Information Science/Studies programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Information Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,234K $1,173K $859K
Earnings Multiple 4.6x 4.3x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 68% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$270,720
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$159,464
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,803
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$132,170
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Boston College Information Science graduates command $80,731/yr out of the gate, well above the $59,433 national median. That 36% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

An earnings multiple of 4.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

The 30% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 68% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Information Science graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,803 in median debt clears quickly against $80,731 in annual earnings.

At #56 of 129 Information Science programs, Boston College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $132,170 show a 64% jump from the $80,731 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Boston College

Admission to Boston College is competitive, with 16% of applicants accepted, enrolling 9,865 students in Chestnut Hill, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $159,464 — 41% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston College →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Information Science at Other Schools

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Science at Boston College?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Information Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Information Science careers?
With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $858,696 in decade earnings vs $1,233,698 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →