Information Science/Studies at Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State's Information Science program puts graduates right at Kansas's median earnings—$56,399 after one year—which means it outperforms about 60% of similar programs in the state. That's meaningful context, especially since Kansas schools span a $16,000 range from lowest to highest. However, graduates trail the national median by about $2,000, and the modest 5% earnings growth to year four suggests salaries plateau fairly quickly in this field.

The debt picture is manageable but not exceptional. At $26,427, graduates carry slightly more than the state median and roughly typical debt for this program nationally. The 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can expect to owe less than half their first-year salary—a workable starting point, though not as favorable as some peer institutions where debt loads are lighter.

For Kansas residents considering in-state tuition, this program represents a middle-of-the-road investment that performs decently within the state but doesn't stand out nationally. The stable earnings trajectory means what you earn initially is close to what you'll make several years later, so that first salary matters. If your child is comparing options within Kansas and prioritizes staying local, Fort Hays delivers outcomes comparable to state norms without excessive debt risk.