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

Analysis

A Management Information Systems degree from a regional university like Minot State typically leads to solid early-career earnings, and the estimated $59,490 first-year salary based on comparable programs nationwide suggests this holds true here. That figure, combined with an estimated debt load around $23,185, produces a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39—meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. For context, North Dakota State's MIS program reports first-year earnings of $64,181, about $4,700 higher than the national benchmark, which raises questions about whether Minot State's graduates achieve similar regional outcomes or fall closer to the national average.

The lack of program-specific data makes it harder to assess Minot State's particular track record, but MIS programs generally offer strong job prospects given the near-universal demand for technology talent. The estimated debt here is actually slightly below the national median of $24,000 for MIS bachelor's programs, which is encouraging. What matters most is whether this program connects students to North Dakota's tech employers—Fargo's growing technology sector and regional businesses increasingly need MIS professionals—or if graduates need to look elsewhere for opportunities that justify the investment.

Your best move: contact the program directly to ask about graduate placement rates and whether their alumni stay in North Dakota or relocate for better-paying markets. The fundamentals look reasonable based on peer programs, but you'll want concrete answers about this specific program's outcomes before committing.

Where Minot State University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Dakota

Management Information Systems and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Dakota (5 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Minot State UniversityMinot$8,634$59,490*—$23,185*—
North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo$10,857$64,181*$77,978$25,500*0.40
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 Minot State University, approximately 24% 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.