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Information Science at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Information Science/Studies

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $76,090/yr (28% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)

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

ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #73 of 129 Information Science/Studies programs

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	$773K	$750K	$614K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.6x	13.2x	10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.3x	4.2x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	74%	68%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	69	68	62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$56,680

Out-of-state: $179,788 (4.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$54,828

3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,417

3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $76,090 put University of California-Riverside's Information Science program 28% above the national median of $59,433 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Information Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Information Science's typical career paths, with 68% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $76,090 far exceeding the $24,417 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #73 of 129 Information Science programs, University of California-Riverside falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of California-Riverside

A 63% admission rate makes University of California-Riverside accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 22,644 in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Riverside →

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

Other Majors at University of California-Riverside

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Information Science at University of California-Riverside?

This program scores 68/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Information Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Information Science careers?

With 68% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $614,269 in decade earnings vs $773,216 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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