Information Science/Studies at Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies at Boston College?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Information Science/Studies nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Information Science/Studies 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 →