Analysis
Similar information science programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $58,650 against estimated debt of $25,000—a manageable 0.43 ratio that indicates you'd owe about five months of salary. For a bachelor's in a tech-adjacent field, this positions graduates to handle their debt load while building toward higher-earning years, assuming UNLV's program delivers outcomes comparable to its peers.
The challenge is the uncertainty. As Nevada's only information science program at the bachelor's level, there's no state data to validate whether UNLV matches, exceeds, or falls short of typical outcomes. The university's 96% admission rate and relatively accessible profile (40% Pell recipients) suggests it serves a broad student base, but without program-specific graduate data, you're betting on national patterns holding true locally. Information science sits between IT and data analytics—fields where Las Vegas's growing tech sector could offer opportunities, or where graduates might need to look beyond the city's casino-dominated economy.
The debt load appears reasonable if those earnings materialize, but you're making this decision with borrowed data. Before committing, confirm what technical skills the curriculum emphasizes, where recent graduates actually landed jobs, and whether the program has industry connections in Las Vegas or regionally. The numbers suggest viability, but only if UNLV's execution matches the national baseline.
Where University of Nevada-Las Vegas Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all information science/studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Information Science/Studies bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,142 | $58,651* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $65,997 | $102,998* | — | $12,000* | 0.12 | |
| $49,600 | $98,551* | — | $24,625* | 0.25 | |
| — | $88,713* | — | $16,667* | 0.19 | |
| $17,228 | $88,515* | $99,659 | $20,875* | 0.24 | |
| $67,680 | $80,731* | $106,214 | $17,500* | 0.22 | |
| National Median | — | $58,651* | — | $25,750* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with information science/studies graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Video Game Designers
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Computer Occupations, All Other
Web Administrators
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
Document Management Specialists
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 University of Nevada-Las Vegas, approximately 40% 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 129 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.