Est. Earnings (1yr)
$59,490
Est. from national median (153 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,185
Est. from national median (112 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's in MIS from Metropolitan State carries an estimated $23,185 in debt—slightly below what similar programs nationally produce—and likely positions graduates to handle that burden comfortably. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $59,490, while this program's actual four-year outcome of $82,651 demonstrates meaningful salary growth that outpaces both the estimated start and comparable programs at Winona State and Augsburg. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 falls well within manageable territory for a technology-focused business degree.

What makes this program particularly interesting is its accessibility: Met State's 96% admission rate and strong Pell grant enrollment (44%) indicate it serves a different student population than traditional four-year universities, yet graduates reach competitive earnings levels. The substantial jump from year one to year four suggests MIS skills become increasingly valuable with experience—a pattern that benefits graduates who start at accessible entry points and build expertise over time.

For families seeking a practical technology degree without elite university pricing, Metropolitan State's MIS program offers a solid foundation. The estimated debt load is modest, the four-year earnings data shows genuine career progression, and graduates land in the same salary range as peers from other Minnesota institutions. Just recognize that the early earnings figure is an estimate based on national patterns, not this school's specific track record.

Where Metropolitan State University Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Metropolitan State University$82,651
Georgetown University$83,756$113,090+35%
University of Notre Dame$78,507$109,779+40%
Howard University$78,544$103,418+32%
Bellevue University$67,262$101,717+51%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Management Information Systems and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (11 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul$9,780$59,490*$82,651$23,185*
Winona State UniversityWinona$10,498$64,613*$27,000*0.42
Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis$43,942$59,722*$24,737*0.41
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 Metropolitan State University, approximately 44% 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.