Information Science/Studies at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock's Information Science program graduates earn significantly less than their peers—about $12,000 below the Pennsylvania median and nearly $10,000 below the national average in their first year. While these are the lowest outcomes among major Pennsylvania programs (25th percentile statewide), graduates do see solid 32% earnings growth over four years, reaching $65,286. The debt load of $25,250 is actually slightly better than state and national averages, keeping the financial picture from being worse.

The challenge here is that graduates start earning roughly what many two-year technical programs deliver, despite four years of study and comparable debt. The earnings trajectory improves, but even at the four-year mark, graduates trail what top Pennsylvania programs like Drexel or Albright deliver in year one. For a field where technical skills often command premium pay, these outcomes suggest either weaker industry connections or graduates landing in lower-tier positions.

The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, making this data less reliable than larger programs. If your child is set on Information Science in Pennsylvania, spending time understanding why this program underperforms state peers is essential. The moderate debt won't sink them financially, but the earnings gap compounds over a career.