Information Science/Studies at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

UPitt-Johnstown's Information Science program delivers solid financial outcomes, but the state context reveals an important nuance. While graduates earn slightly above the national median at $59,951 initially (climbing to nearly $75,000 by year four), they're landing in the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania programs. That matters because PA's info science programs run the gamut—from Albright's $80,000+ outcomes to UPitt-Johnstown's more modest middle tier. Your child would earn about $1,200 less than the state median despite attending a University of Pittsburgh campus.

The debt picture offers some reassurance: $27,000 represents a manageable 0.45 ratio to first-year earnings, right at Pennsylvania's median and slightly above the national benchmark. The 25% earnings growth over four years is healthy progression, suggesting stable career development rather than stagnation. With a 96% admission rate and relatively low selectivity, this program offers accessible entry into information science without crushing debt.

The bottom line: This program won't position your child at the top of Pennsylvania's information science field, but it provides dependable middle-tier outcomes at a reasonable price. If they're comparing this to the Pittsburgh campus (identical starting salary at $59,951) or much pricier alternatives like Drexel, Johnstown delivers similar value with lower sticker shock. For a student seeking solid IT career prospects without gambling on expensive programs, this represents a practical choice rather than an exceptional one.