Information Science/Studies at Ferrum College

Information Science programs in Virginia show a stark divide between research universities and smaller colleges, with top performers like James Madison hitting $80,000+ while others struggle to reach $50,000. For Ferrum, we can only estimate what graduates might earn—around $58,550 based on the state median—but that middle-of-the-road projection comes with an important caveat: the school has too few graduates in this program to report actual outcomes.

The estimated debt load of $26,700 appears manageable at first glance, translating to a 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio that's well within reasonable bounds. However, this figure comes from national averages at similar institutions, not Ferrum's actual students. What's more telling is the institutional profile: a 100% acceptance rate and average SAT of 990 suggest less selective admissions, and with 47% of students on Pell grants, many families here are already stretching financially. The risk isn't just whether the numbers pencil out on paper—it's whether a small program without track record data can deliver the technical skills and employer connections that translate estimates into reality.

If this program had dozens of graduates landing jobs at $58,000+, the school would have data to show you. The absence of reportable outcomes might mean it's a fledgling program still proving itself, or simply too small to generate reliable statistics. Either way, you're making a decision without the evidence that matters most.