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Information Science/Studies at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies at Other Schools

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Information Science/Studies program score?

A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Information Science/Studies graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Information Science/Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Information Science/Studies 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 →