Information Science/Studies at Mercy University

New York's information science programs show dramatic variation, with top performers pushing past $70,000 in first-year earnings while the state median sits at $51,363—which is where comparable programs suggest Mercy graduates land. That's roughly $7,000 below the national median for this field, positioning this program in the lower tier of outcomes for what should be a relatively well-compensated major.

The estimated debt load of $26,694 keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.52, meaning graduates would dedicate about half their first year's salary to their loans—workable but not impressive. However, this debt estimate comes from national peer institutions and may not reflect Mercy's actual financial aid effectiveness for its student body, nearly half of whom receive Pell grants. The actual debt could be higher or lower depending on how well the school supports students from lower-income backgrounds.

The real concern is the earnings gap. When similar New York programs produce first-year salaries ranging from $56,000 to nearly $89,000, being at the state median suggests graduates aren't accessing the higher-paying tech corridors where information science typically thrives. For a field where location and employer network matter tremendously, parents should investigate where Mercy graduates actually land jobs and whether the program has strong placement relationships with employers who pay competitively for these skills.