Computer & Information Sciences Major

What Do Computer & Information Sciences Majors Need to Know?

People with careers related to computer and information sciences were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.

The following sections give the results to those surveys.

Knowledge Areas for Computer & Information Sciences Majors

This major prepares you for careers in which these knowledge areas are important:

Skills for Computer & Information Sciences Majors

The following list of skills has been highlighted as some of the most essential for careers related to computer and information sciences:

Abilities for Computer & Information Sciences Majors

A major in computer and information sciences will prepare for your careers in which the following abilities are important:

What Can You Do With a Computer & Information Sciences Major?

Below is a list of occupations associated with computer and information sciences:

Careers Related to Computer & Information Sciences

Job Title	Job Growth Rate	Median Salary
Managers	8%	$107,480
Software Developers, Applications	30.7%	$99,920
Computer User Support Specialists	11.3%	$53,470
Computer Systems Analysts	9.1%	$90,080
Software Developers, Systems Software	11.1%	$99,920
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	6.1%	$89,000
Computer and Information Systems Managers	12%	$142,530
Computer Programmers	-7.2%	$99,920
Computer Workers	9.3%	$90,270
Graphic Designers	4.2%	$42,960

Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in computer and information sciences. About 8.7% of those graduating in 2017 were international students. The most popular countries sending computer and information sciences majors to the U.S. are.

Computer & Information Sciences Major Salary

Computer and information sciences majors often go into careers where salaries can range from $68,000 to $108,000. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.

To put that into context, the typical high school graduate makes between $29,000 and $57,000 a year. The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $44,000 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,000 and $120,000.

Your salary will be largely dependent on the career path you follow and what area of the country (or world) you work. Getting a graduate degree may open up more options with higher salary potential.

Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Computer & Information Sciences

Some careers associated with computer and information sciences require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.

Find out what the typical degree level is for computer and information sciences careers below.

Education Levels for Careers Associated With Computer & Information Sciences

Level of Education	Percentage of Workers
Less Than a High School Diploma	0.2%
High School Diploma or Equivalent	6%
Post-Secondary Certificate	5.7%
Some College Courses	7.2%
Associate's Degree or Equivalent	10.4%
Bachelor's Degree	52.4%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate	3.6%
Master's Degree	11.9%
Post-Master's Certificate	0.7%
First Professional Degree	0.3%
Doctoral Degree	2%
Post-Doctoral Training	0.1%

Online Computer & Information Sciences Programs

There are 2,971 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in computer and information sciences, with 500 of them offering at least some courses online.

Is a Computer & Information Sciences Major Worth It?

The median salary for a computer and information sciences grad is $92,000 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.

This is 137% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $1,062,600 after 20 years!

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
O*NET Online
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