Est. Earnings (1yr)
$59,490
Est. from national median (153 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,581
Est. from national median (28 programs)

Analysis

Management Information Systems degrees typically lead to strong technical careers, but without program-specific outcomes from Briar Cliff, prospective families face genuine uncertainty. Based on national benchmarks for similar MIS bachelor's programs, graduates might expect around $59,490 in first-year earnings with roughly $26,581 in debt—a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests borrowers could theoretically pay off loans with about half a year's salary. The nearby University of Northern Iowa reports slightly lower earnings at $58,197, indicating these figures fall within a reasonable range for Iowa's tech job market.

The challenge here is that small cohort sizes mean we can't verify how Briar Cliff's specific curriculum, career services, or employer connections translate into actual job placements. MIS programs vary considerably in their technical depth—some emphasize database management and systems architecture while others lean toward business analysis. That variation matters enormously in salary negotiations. Given that 30% of Briar Cliff students receive Pell grants, the school serves families who particularly need reliable return on investment data.

For families considering this program, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable economics if they materialize, but you're essentially betting on Briar Cliff delivering outcomes comparable to the national median. Request placement data directly from the department—where do recent grads work, and in what roles? Those employer relationships may tell you more than these estimates can.

Where Briar Cliff University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all management information systems and services bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Management Information Systems and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City$35,534$59,490*$26,581*
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls$9,728$58,197*$79,033$22,500*0.39
National Median$59,490*$24,000*0.40
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with management information systems and services graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Briar Cliff University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 153 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.