Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $43,178 place Murray State University below the $59,433 national median for Information Science/Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
With a 23.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 25% 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 $43,178 far exceeding the $19,037 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #61 ranking among 129 Information Science/Studies programs places Murray State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The $43,178-to-$89,111 earnings arc over five years reflects a 106% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.