Information Science at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Information Science/Studies
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $62,116/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #54 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $817K $791K $638K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.0x 9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.1x 4.1x
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)
$65,832
Out-of-state: $156,168 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,808
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,853
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Virginia Commonwealth University's Information Science program produces graduates earning $62,116/yr — within striking distance of the $59,433 national average for this field.

The 12.0x 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 22% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,500 in median debt clears quickly against $62,116 in annual earnings.

Ranked #54 out of 129 programs, Virginia Commonwealth University's Information Science offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $62,116 to $86,853 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

A 93% acceptance rate means Virginia Commonwealth University is accessible to most applicants, with 20,797 students enrolled in Richmond, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University →

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 Virginia Commonwealth University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia Commonwealth University's Information Science program score?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Virginia Commonwealth University'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 →