Get Your Degree!

Get information on programs from our featured schools.

Related Areas of Study

What is Information Systems?

Information systems is the area of study and practice that is responsible for the construction and maintenance of storage for electronic and computer systems. Individuals in this field typically work with or for large clients to develop large and secure databases that allow for the safe storage of sensitive information. Security in this field is very important, as leaks or unwanted access can cause negative repercussions.

The information systems college degree program is a popular college degree program that continues to gain momentum over time.  With heavy demand from employers in the public and private sector, colleges continue to add classroom-based curriculum and online courses in information systems to support this growth.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$79,700

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

54.10%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

382,600

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Information Systems Degree

The University of Pennsylvania is a private research league university in the state of Philadelphia that was established in the year 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. It has a proud tradition of providing knowledge and skills through its wide range of academic programs that are boosted by the culture of innovation offering students an unparalleled education informed by inclusivity, research, and intellectual rigor. One of the elite programs the university offers in the department of information is the information systems degree track that aims to help students learn and master maintaining information systems and managing system implementation. The program also tackles the types of organization in addition to the traditional roles of designing and understanding how technology can be used to create new corporate strategies.

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Northwestern University is a private research University in Evanston, Illinois U.S was established in 1851. The university is known for focusing on a wide range of research results and interdisciplinary education. The school provides over 200 formal academic programs including various dual degree programs one of them is Bachelor of Information System major a program that focuses in the area of computer science on analyzing the information needs of organizing and division IT solutions that can meet cost requirements and provide strategic goals. The faculty and staff of the university are committed to providing excellent teaching, innovative research that helps the personal and intellectual development of students in a diversified university.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The University of Notre Dame or also known as Notre Dame is a private university in the state of Indiana that offers research and a quality academic curriculum. Founded by Rev. Edward Sorin, a priest of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame is recognized as one of the top Catholic institutions in the United States. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students to become skilled professionals. Notre Dame aims to establish a great Catholic university in America that remains faithful to both its intellectual and religious traditions while still open to change and innovation by being dedicated to religious belief and scientific knowledge. The university also offers an information system major that focuses on workshops and provides topics related to hardware and software systems for storage, retrieval, mapping, and analysis of geographic data.

Acceptance Rate

15.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Vanderbilt University, or more commonly known as Vandy, is a private university located in Nashville, Tennessee that has been providing outstanding research and academic programs since 1873. The mission of the university is to help re-established the ruined economy and communities during the American Civil War. Today, the university is recognized globally for its transformative education and research providing a collaborative culture that empowers students to help them turn into great leaders of tomorrow. The programs of the university aim to merge the advantages of the liberal arts and world-class research as well as the pursuit of excellence in creative expression and scholarship?that address the important problems and questions facing our community, our country, and the world.

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The University of Virginia is a public university located in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was established in 1891 by Thomas Jefferson. The university is designed to cultivate an informed citizenry, advance human knowledge, and educate leaders. The students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university challenges convention, break the barrier, and pursue innovation for the greater good of today's industry. It offers affordable high-quality programs that are consistently recognized as one of the nation's best degree programs including the undergraduate degree in information systems that deals with the sociotechnical, organizing system designed to collect, process, distribute and store information.

Acceptance Rate

23.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university established in late 1967 and founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1900 as the Carnegie Technical Schools with a vision of “My heart is in the work”. Today, the university is engraved with cutting-edge science, path-breaking performance, big ambitions ideas, and renowned achievement in the field of Computer Science. It is one of the programs in the department of computer science that aims to provide the student the knowledge and master the fundamentals of the subject of the course such as information science, business, and information systems. Students who are majoring in the course can turn their interest in using technology for positive gains across society, both economic and humanistic.

Acceptance Rate

15.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Villanova University is recognized for being a Catholic institution that provides research and higher educational learning such as graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs for the communities of Villanova, Pennsylvania, and beyond. The university is named after Saint Thomas of Villanova and was founded by Saint Augustines. It is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania, founded in 1842. As the only Augustinian university in the nation, the university values a personalized experience with the help of teachers and students who are partners in learning and exploring academic degrees from doctorate to undergraduate. Students on campus are ideologically inspired, have ethical foundations, and have global ideas. Just like in the Department of Education and Consulting, they provide information systems courses that integrate virtual themes and activities of learning and fun.

Acceptance Rate

28.24

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

New York University or NYU is a private institution that serves academic and research excellence for the people of New York City and the world. It was established in 1831 by a group of New Yorkers led by then Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin with the vision “to persevere and to excel”. Since its founding in 1831, New York University has been an innovator in higher education, reaching to the emerging middle class, promoting and advertising a global vision that informs its 19 schools campuses colleges, professional focus, and embracing an urban identity. The school also offers a program of library and information systems degree track to the student that is interested to understand problem, collection, classification, manipulation, storage retrieval, dissemination and many more all about computer information science.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Case Western Reserve University is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been operating since 1967 through the federation of long-standing institutions and was founded by Leonard Case, a philanthropist based in Cleveland, Ohio, who master the idea of endowing the Case School of Applied Science. On this day the university ranks as #42 among the national university and #1 in Ohio by the Leiden World Ranking ranked CWRU. One of the master's degree programs the university offers to students is Master of Science in Computing and Information Systems with the aim to provide students with applied learning in the field through experiments, lessons, and internships. Students of the program gain a higher-level understanding of the essential knowledge needed to succeed in a computing and information systems career.

Acceptance Rate

27.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The University of Texas, or also known as UT Austin or U.T, is a public university located in Austin, Texas that serves excellent research and academics with a vision of “Education is the Guardian of the State” since 1883. For more than 130 years ago, the university became the third university in its area to be elected as a member of the Association of American Universities. It started with a constitutional mandate to become one of the universities of the first-class, and since then, it has been refining and pursuing that idea. One of the variant master’s programs the university offers for the students is Management Information Systems that demands individuals with knowledge about both computer and business applications. The program is intended to prepare the student to be a professional who can fully appreciate the complexity of information system design.

Acceptance Rate

31.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Located in Tallahassee, Florida, Florida State University (FSU) is a public institution offering high-quality research and higher education learning programs. Established in 1851, the university is known for being one of the oldest continuous institutions of higher education in its area. It is also classified among other graduate universities with outstanding research activity and over 120 separate colleges and centers. Florida State University’s College of Information offers an undergraduate degree in Information Systems that targets the student to obtain a solid foundation in areas such as technology, information architecture, business, website design, and more. In addition, FSU is one of the nation’s elite research universities that preserves, disseminates, and expands knowledge in science, arts, technology, humanities, and professional studies, at the same time embracing a philosophy of learning in the tradition of liberal arts and critical thinking.

Acceptance Rate

35.97

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

The University of Georgia or UGA is one of the oldest public research institutions providing higher education learning for the people of Athens, Georgia, and beyond. It has been operating for more than 230 years and offers an academic experience equivalent to the Ivy League university which allows people to consider it as one of the Public Ivy institutions. One of the oldest programs UGA offers is the Information Systems program wherein students can obtain a certificate upon completing the program requirements. It is designed to prepare and discipline undergraduate students with the proper training necessary to enter the expanding field of information science. The university is also recognized for its dedication to student excellence through an emphasis on quality learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom, including hands-on activity, leadership training, and research opportunities.

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Santa Clara University houses students from the community of Santa Clara, California, and the areas beyond. It is known as the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of California and remains on its original location near the historical Mission Santa Clara de Asis. The university offers graduate and undergraduate through its six colleges including the Master of Science in Information Systems. The program is accredited by the Association for Computing Machinery and Association for Information Systems, allowing students to have the necessary knowledge and skills in design, technology, and other related topics that help them manage the information systems.

Acceptance Rate

48.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

George Washington University is a private research university that aims to serve the people of Washington, D.C with high-quality knowledge and skills in various fields of study. The university was named after the first president of the United States to preserve the career and legacy of the president and founded by the Act of Congress as the Columbian college that makes it one of the five universities in the state with a congressional charter. Established in 1821 with a vision of “God is our Trust”, the university is equipped with world-class faculty that offers quality education, distinctive courses, and high-impact research as well as diverse students that came with passion and inspiring stories.

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, Massachusetts as a private institution that concentrates on providing research and knowledge in various fields such as technical arts and applied sciences among others. Established in 1865, the university is recognized for being one of the first technology and engineering universities that offer a variety of academic programs including the Information Systems degree. Students of this program learn to deal with organizing, access, and collecting information whether in physical or digital form.

Acceptance Rate

49.37

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

SUNY Binghamton is a public university that offers research and academic programs in various fields. Established in 1946, the university has two campuses in Binghamton and Johnson City in New York that both evolve from a small liberal arts college to a large research university. It offers both undergraduate and graduate programs such as Management Information Systems that help students gain an in-depth understanding of systems analysis and design, database management systems, advanced spreadsheets, cloud services, and management of IT. The university also solidified its name in the Northeast region as the best public university that offers its students a broad, interdisciplinary education.

Acceptance Rate

40.53

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

The University of Connecticut is located in Storrs, Connecticut that offers transformative research and academic programs since 1881. The university currently ranks as one of the best public national universities in the nation. With multiple campuses across Connecticut, the university aims to inspire the students and the global community by exceeding their expectations. It offers a world-class Management Information Systems degree program that guides students to learn the proper skills between information technologies and business functions as well as the improvements in accounting, finance, business, marketing, and everything in between that formulate creative solutions.

Acceptance Rate

49.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Ohio State University is a public university located in Columbus, Ohio that offers outstanding research and academic programs. It was founded in 1870 and is considered a Public Ivy institution and has been ranked by major colleges and universities as one of the best public universities in the United States that lead them to have higher research activity. The university also offers the information systems degree that allows students to have knowledge and skills in collecting information systems that integrate to store, collect, process, retrieve, communicate, and disseminate information supporting the operations and management functions of business and other organizations.

Acceptance Rate

53.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Located in Seattle, Washington, the University of Washington was established in 1861 as a research institution that offers various academic learning in different fields. It is recognized as one of the oldest universities in its area with sister campuses in Tacoma and Bothell. The University of Washington is equipped with faculty members who won several prestigious Nobel Prize awards, proving its place as one of the elite universities in the state. It also offers a master's degree in Information Systems that teaches the student to have an advantage and become equipped with broad technical skills and knowledge in technological innovation wherein students can manage the complexities of technology and its digital transformation.

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Southern Methodist University serves the people of Dallas County in the state of Texas with sister campuses in Plano. It has a mission to help students become competitive, knowledgeable, and ethically smart individuals by offering several undergraduate and graduate degrees. One of the most suggested programs by the university and alumni is the ELIS or Expanded Learning Information System program that deals and focuses more on digital data gathering, storing, analyzing, and many more. The program is a four-year course accredited by the ACCD most of the program is about data and information. The university is an institute with increasing recognition and support from its students, alumni, and faculty as they become ethical and competitive leaders in the professional industry. SMU brings hope for the community in Texas as they provide leaders with an entrepreneurial spirit and an academic discipline that lets them contribute unique and transformative ideas in the community or world.

Acceptance Rate

47.29

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Baylor University is a private Baptist institution that provides research and academic opportunities for the communities of Waco, Texas, and beyond. Established 176 years ago in 1845, this makes them the oldest and continuously operating university in Texas and the first educational institution in western Mississippi. Baylor University was known for its commitment to excellence, and a broad range of academic programs offered to the student with the rich tradition, growth opportunities of a large university with a personalized experience to the community of a smaller one. Baylor University is an excellent choice in the field of information systems and business analysis. The department is staffed with undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students who think from a strategic perspective how the company can more effectively adapt to the use of technology.

Acceptance Rate

45.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The University of Tulsa is a private research university located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded in 1894. The motto of the university is “wisdom, faith and service” university is classified as a doctoral university with a high research activity which includes having one of the largest collections of American indigenous artifacts and western art in the world. The mission of the college is to provide students with outstanding scholarships, dedicated to free inquiry, character integrity, and commitment to the human way of thinking. As of today, technology is rapidly advancing the demand for a quality leader with knowledge of computer is a must that why the university of Tulsa offers the bachelor degree of Computer Information System (CIS) program that committed to educating students to become the future leaders in the world that have the capability of information and knowledge and have ability to deals with problems in a organize run more efficient through the use of technology.

Acceptance Rate

35.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Fairfield University is a private catholic institute that was run and founded by the Society of Jesuits established in 1942 and today the school is part of the association of Jesuit colleges and Universities and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees available on the 200-acre idyllic campus located on the Connecticut coastline. The mission and spirit of the university include promoting a sense of social responsibility and ensuring that all students and faculty and staff embrace and develop their full creative intellectual potential. For students interested in information science, the university provides information systems and operations management (ISOM). The department aims to educate students to analyze, design, implement and solve solutions that are managed by technology-driven business ideas.

Acceptance Rate

57.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Yeshiva University serves the people of New York City and the world through its four campuses across the states that offer excellent research and academic programs. It provides students with various undergraduate and graduate degrees that are focused on various fields of study. Its degree programs and research activities are recognized by the Middle States Commission and by several professional organizations. For the students who are into computers, the university offers a computer information system (IS) an academic study of systems dealing with the specific reference to information and the complementary network of software and hardware that people and organizations use to collect.

Acceptance Rate

55.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The Pittsburgh University is a state-related public research university that's located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university is composed of 17 graduate and undergraduate universities and colleges, one of the prestigious colleges are the Graduate School of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences they offer the program Information System (IS) under the university’s faculty information systems program that provides academic students with a single point of knowledge of the organization, reports, and presentations, and provide students with research activities ranging from publishing and research data to the teaching of awarded professional activities.

Acceptance Rate

56.65

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Degrees in Information Systems

At many colleges and universities, the information systems degree track can be used interchangeable with the following list of alternatives or adjacent programs:

  • Computer Information Systems (CIS)
  • Information Systems (IS)
  • Management Information Systems (MIS)
  • Business Information Systems (BIS)

While each of these degree titles offers a similar core set of classes to information systems, the emphasis bends more towards business applications & enterprise solutions. Enterprise-wide initiatives have a proclivity for more real-world, higher level business solutions. As such, an information systems major will work closely with the management team or executive team to address macro issues. These initiatives cascade to project managers and programming professionals to support these high-level decisions.

Difference Between Computer Information Systems and Computer Science?

Computer science is a technical discipline consuming information management, data computation, and technical constructs. A trained computer scientist can will understand the intricacies of various operating systems and the coding requirements of those systems. In simple terms, a computer science major will ask how a business issue can be solved programmatically versus manually.

A computer information systems major, on the other hand, asks a different set of questions. CIS professionals determines the technology that needs to be deployed to resolve a business problem or strategic impediment. The sheer nature of CIS relies upon technology to solve business issues which requires different skills and abilities than computer science majors.

CIS majors will generally be involved in high-level meetings rooted in strategic planning campaigns. Meanwhile, computer scientists dive deep in programming and data to resolve granular issues. While both CS and CIS are interrelated, computer information systems and computer science disciplines are quite different from one another.

CIS Education Requirements

Students wishing to study information systems will generally pursue at minimum a bachelor's degree in this or a related degree. Students will be exposed to a large number of topics related to computers, security, hardware and software systems, and how to provide and restrict access for clients.

Advanced knowledge of computers allows for more complex systems, which in turn should better ensure the ability to construct secure systems. A sample curriculum in CIS may include:

Schools that provide current facilities and curriculum are of a higher quality for potential information systems specialists due to the need to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to system construction and security. Schools that provide practical education should be on the top of the list because they provide an early look into the type of work that must be performed in order to successfully operate in the field.

Information Systems Degrees Online

Online college degrees or distance learning programs are the fastest growing segment in higher educations. As such, colleges and universities continue to evolve to meet the ever-changing demands of the workplace and keep up with a students academic proclivities. Online learning provides students with flexibility, independence, autonomy, and quality academics that fit well for certain students.

For qualified students, earning a CIS degree online has never been easier to launch. Below you can quickly get matched to the perfect degree program for you in CIS. Degree programs range from certificate programs to doctorate degrees in computer information systems.

Each degree type has pros and cons associated with it related to time commitments, resources, and qualifications. Take the time to digest the requisite standards before applying to a university or college. Begin your CIS degree search by reading the Complete Guide to the College Admissions Process today to help organize your thoughts and priorities.

Employment for CIS Majors

Large companies maintain internal servers and systems which hold sensitive information. This is true of companies in many areas, regardless of the type of business. As a result the need for professionals to create and maintain secure internal storage systems is high, and increasing.

When considering entering the CIS field, students and working professionals can expect exceptional industry growth over the next decade. As technology advances, iterations of hardware and software will evolve creating new demands for CIS majors.

The BLS estimates the job growth for information systems professionals will be an astounding 21% through 2024 which is three times the national job growth forecast for all occupations in the United States. The CIS industry is estimated to add some 118,000 jobs through this same reporting period with heavy growth in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and mobile networks.

What Jobs Can You Get with an Information Systems Degree?

There are a number of different jobs available to information systems college graduates that you may be interested in learning more about.  While the list below is focused on job titles, CIS professionals find themselves in every sector of commerce from non-profit organizations to public hospitals.  Below is a list of jobs you can get with an information systems college degree:

UX Analyst Multimedia Programmer
Systems Analyst Network Engineer
Systems Designer Application Developer
Systems Engineer Project Manager
Application Analyst Management Consultant
Actuarial Analyst Cybersecurity Analyst
Data Analyst Web Designer
Business Analyst Software Engineer
Information Systems Manager Artificial Intelligence
Database Administrator Software Engineer
IT Technical Support ERP Administrator
IT Consultant
Top States for CIS Jobs
  • California       75,750
  • Texas               58,680
  • New York       38,220
  • Illinois            29,390
  • Ohio                27,200
Top Paying CIS Analysts States
  1. New Jersey                   $102,310
  2. California                      $101,440
  3. District of Columbia    $101,240
  4. Virginia                          $98,470
  5. New York                       $98,090
Top Employers for CIS Professionals
  • Software and Technology Companies             168,610
  • Business Management & Consulting Firms    53,310
  • Insurance Carriers                                               28,950
  • Science & Technology Organizations               23,880
  • State Government Agencies                               20,650

Additional Resources for CIS Majors

Organizations and associations may prove beneficial to graduates and working professions in CIS. Top ranked associations include the Association for Information Systems (AIS), Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), and the International Association for CIS (IACIS). Members receive research articles, learning opportunities, and professional networking to help advance the careers of member partners.

Featured Rankings

Find Your College Match

Sort By
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com