Information Science at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Information Science/Studies
81 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
82
Optimistic
81
Base Case
75
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,827/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)
ROI 17.5x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 129 Information Science/Studies programs Top 10%

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 $941K $904K $703K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.2x 17.5x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.7x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 68% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 82 81 75

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,584
Out-of-state: $135,004 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,328
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,869
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,588
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $67,827 per year, Information Science graduates from Colorado State University-Fort Collins earn slightly above the $59,433 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 17.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 68% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $23,869 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #10 ranking out of 129 Information Science programs nationally puts Colorado State University-Fort Collins in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $67,827 to $100,588 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Colorado State University-Fort Collins

With 90% of applicants admitted, Colorado State University-Fort Collins prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 25,148 in Fort Collins, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado State University-Fort Collins →

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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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Information Science program score?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Information Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Information Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Information Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 68% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →