by our College Data Analytics TeamGeneral Computer & Information Sciences was the 15th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 51,681 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 2,885 over the prior year, a growth of 5.6%.
This year's Best General Computer & Information Sciences Schools ranking compares 330 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer and information sciences programs later in this article.
A major in computer and information sciences prepares you for careers in which using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems is crucial. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic general computer and information sciences program qualifications, to serve in some computer and information sciences careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Computer and Information Sciences degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in general computer and information sciences to something that takes less time like a . Different general computer and information sciences degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to computer and information sciences, with approximately 47.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to computer and information sciences tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 46.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.9% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 7.1% |
| Some College Courses | 7.1% |
Most workers in computer and information sciences have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in general computer and information sciences careers have.
This of course varies depending on which computer and information sciences career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your computer and information sciences degree? General Computer & Information Sciences careers are expected to grow 9.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general computer and information sciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Analysts | 654,900 | 9.1% |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | 415,300 | 6.1% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 411,800 | 12.0% |
| Computer Workers | 313,800 | 9.3% |
| Computer Network Architects | 173,200 | 6.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for computer and information sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general computer and information sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers computer and information sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $152,860 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $123,850 |
| Computer Network Architects | $111,130 |
| Computer Science Professors | $96,200 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $93,610 |
With over 1,779 different computer and information sciences degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased computer and information sciences school rankings to help you with this.
General Computer & Information Sciences is one of 5 different types of Computer Information Systems programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | 31,531 |
| Informatics | 2,726 |
| Other Computer & Information Sciences | 1,887 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 518 |
| Human-Centered Technology Design | 91 |
