Information Science/Studies at Norwich University

Norwich University's Information Science program reports remarkable $98,551 first-year earnings—nearly 70% above the national median for this degree. That puts graduates in the 95th percentile nationally, with a debt load of $24,625 that's actually below typical for this field. The 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans in well under a year's salary, which is exceptionally strong.

However, these impressive numbers come with a significant asterisk: the sample size is under 30 graduates. With only two schools offering this program in Vermont, the state comparison is less meaningful. The question is whether these outcomes reflect a genuinely strong program with excellent employer connections (Norwich has military affiliations that might lead to defense contractor positions) or simply an unusually successful cohort. Small samples can swing dramatically year to year—one cohort landing at high-paying tech firms could inflate the median substantially.

For parents willing to accept some uncertainty in the data, the fundamentals look promising. The debt is manageable, and even if actual outcomes are somewhat lower than reported, there's substantial cushion above national norms. But don't treat that $98,551 figure as guaranteed—verify recent graduate outcomes directly with the school and ask about typical employer partners before committing.