- 1.IT Managers earn a median salary of $169,510 with 16% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Information Systems programs include University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Maryland-College Park, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers information systems education at $14,768/year with 90% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Information Systems programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Information Systems Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Illinois Information Systems uniquely combines a top-10 business school education with direct access to quantum computing research and one of the nation's premier cybersecurity labs, positioning graduates at the intersection of emerging technologies and business innovation.
Program Overview
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Information Systems that bridges the gap between technology and business strategy. This undergraduate program, housed within the prestigious Gies College of Business, prepares students to design, implement, and protect information systems that drive organizational success in an increasingly digital world. Students complete a rigorous curriculum combining core business foundation courses with specialized IS coursework including systems analysis and design, database management, and IT governance. The program emphasizes practical application through electives in data analytics, cybersecurity, social media strategy, and emerging technologies like big data platforms.
What sets Illinois apart is its integration within a top-ranked business school combined with access to world-class computing resources through the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science. Students benefit from the university's strong quantum research presence through IQUIST (Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center) and the Coordinated Science Laboratory's cutting-edge work in cybersecurity, data science, and cyber-physical systems. The program's location in the heart of the Midwest provides excellent internship and career opportunities, with 91% of graduates participating in experiential learning and 42% receiving job offers directly from these experiences.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
75 years of excellence in cybersecurity, data science, robotics, and cyber-physical systems
Quantum computing research bringing together physicists, engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Maryland-College Park
Smith's MSIS program is ranked #7 among public universities for Management Information Systems and uniquely focuses on developing students as strategic liaisons between technical teams and business leadership, with mandatory real-company partnerships and AI proficiency training.
Program Overview
The University of Maryland's Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business is a STEM-designated, 30-credit degree that transforms students into strategic technology leaders who bridge the gap between technical teams and business leadership. Completed in just three semesters, this intensive program combines cutting-edge AI and data science training with practical business applications. Students dive deep into artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and digital business transformation while working on real-world projects with industry partners through required industry seminars and capstone experiences. The program uniquely positions graduates as 'translators' between highly technical teams and executive leadership—a critical role in today's AI-driven business landscape. With an average starting salary of $77,000 and strong placement rates at companies like Google, Amazon, and Salesforce, the program attracts students from diverse backgrounds who want to lead technological change in organizations.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
AI applications in business contexts and strategic implementation
Advanced analytics and data science research partnerships
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Unable to determine unique distinguishing factors without access to program-specific information.
Program Overview
I was unable to find specific information about the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Information Systems program in the provided source content. Without access to detailed program information, faculty listings, research initiatives, or specific degree offerings, I cannot provide the rich, detailed narrative that would accurately represent this program. To properly evaluate and describe Michigan's Information Systems offerings, I would need access to the university's official program descriptions, faculty profiles, research lab information, and admissions data.
Syracuse University
Syracuse's iSchool is ranked #26 in Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology Programs and offers one of the fastest completion times in the field - students can earn their MS in Information Systems in just 12 months, with STEM designation providing up to 36 months of OPT work authorization for international students.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Penn State's Information Systems program uniquely combines rigorous business foundation coursework with cutting-edge technical training, requiring all students to complete real-world internships and capstone system design projects while offering seamless pathways from bachelor's to master's degrees on the same campus.
University of Houston
UH's MS MIS program stands out by combining STEM designation with deep industry integration in Houston's Fortune 500 corridor, offering dual pathways for both traditional on-campus and fully online completion with identical curriculum rigor.
University of Georgia
369 information systems graduates annually
University of South Florida
USF was the nation's first medical school to offer a Master of Science in Health Informatics 100% online, and the Information Systems program maintains strong ties to defense research with $150 million in Army-funded projects over the past 20 years.
California Institute of Technology
4 information systems graduates annually
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
323 information systems graduates annually
Best Information Systems Programs - Compare Top 5 Bachelor's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | 87.5/100 |
| #2 University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | Public | $9,889 | 84% | 84.9/100 |
| #3 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | 79/100 |
| #4 Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | Private | $61,310 | 99% | 78.6/100 |
| #5 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $19,672 | 87% | 78.2/100 |
Top 25 Information Systems Bachelor's Programs 2026
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | $14,768 | 90% | — | 87.5 |
| 2 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | $9,889 | 84% | — | 84.9 |
| 3 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $17,977 | 92% | — | 79 |
| 4 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | $61,310 | 99% | — | 78.6 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | $19,672 | 87% | — | 78.2 |
| 6 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | $8,685 | 91% | — | 78 |
| 7 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | $9,790 | 95% | — | 77.8 |
| 8 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $4,559 | 85% | — | 77.2 |
| 9 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | $60,816 | 88% | — | 73.6 |
| 10 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | $13,674 | 82% | — | 72.6 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | $11,678 | 89% | — | 71.7 |
| 12 | University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | $7,632 | 74% | — | 71.1 |
| 13 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | $64,887 | 90% | — | 69.5 |
| 14 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | $9,003 | 84% | — | 67.6 |
| 15 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County | Baltimore, MD | $9,238 | 90% | — | 67.5 |
| 16 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | $7,019 | 93% | — | 67.2 |
| 17 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | $64,526 | 100% | — | 67 |
| 18 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | $11,546 | 68% | — | 66.8 |
| 19 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | $7,070 | 87% | — | 66.6 |
| 20 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | $12,850 | 92% | — | 66.5 |
| 21 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $14,496 | 92% | — | 65.9 |
| 22 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Lowell, MA | $15,850 | 98% | — | 65.4 |
| 23 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | $55,784 | 90% | — | 65.4 |
| 24 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | $8,455 | 97% | — | 65.2 |
| 25 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | $7,070 | 89% | — | 65.2 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Information Systems Bachelor's Degree Overview 2026
Information Systems bachelor's degrees prepare students to bridge the gap between technology and business, focusing on how organizations use data, systems, and technology to achieve strategic goals. Unlike traditional Computer Science programs, MIS degrees emphasize business applications, project management, and organizational strategy alongside technical skills.
The field is experiencing rapid growth, with computer and information systems managers projected to see 15% job growth through 2032, much faster than average (Bureau of Labor Statistics). This growth is driven by organizations' increasing reliance on data analytics, cloud computing, and digital transformation initiatives.
Modern MIS programs integrate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity with traditional business processes. Students learn to design, implement, and manage information systems that support business operations, from enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to data warehouses and business intelligence platforms.
The curriculum typically combines technical courses in database management, systems analysis, and programming with business courses in management, finance, and operations. This interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates for roles that require both technical expertise and business acumen, making them valuable assets in today's technology-driven economy.
Career Paths
Information Systems Manager
SOC 11-3021Oversee technology infrastructure and lead digital transformation initiatives
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex data sets to drive business intelligence and strategic decisions
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1121Design and implement technology solutions to improve business processes
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect organizational data and systems from security threats and breaches
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1141Manage and optimize database systems for performance and security
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design and build applications that integrate with business systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 150 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.