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Information Science/Studies at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $49,897/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)

ROI 23.7x earnings multiple (8.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #52 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	$687K	$671K	$569K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	24.3x	23.7x	20.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.1x	8.9x	7.5x
Probability of Field Employment	74%	68%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	76	75	69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,292

Out-of-state: $75,812 (8.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$22,584

20% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,071

3.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,302

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $49,897 place California State University-Fullerton below the $59,433 national median for Information Science/Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 23.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Information Science/Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $49,897 far exceeding the $13,071 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #52 ranking among 129 Information Science/Studies programs places California State University-Fullerton in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 41% earnings increase from $49,897 to $70,302 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Fullerton

California State University-Fullerton accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 36,956 in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fullerton →

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

Other Majors at California State University-Fullerton

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 75/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Information Science/Studies at California State University-Fullerton?

At 75/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Information Science/Studies at California State University-Fullerton?

The 68% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is California State University-Fullerton a good choice for Information Science/Studies despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Fullerton's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →