Information Science/Studies at Wilkes University

Information Science programs in Pennsylvania show considerable variation, and while actual outcomes for Wilkes aren't available, peer programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $61,000—landing squarely at the state median but well below what students at Albright ($80,000) or Drexel ($79,000) typically earn. The estimated debt load of $28,000 produces a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would theoretically owe less than half their first-year salary. That's workable on paper, though it's worth noting that Pennsylvania's Information Science programs vary by nearly $20,000 in typical debt loads.

The challenge here is the uncertainty. With a 91% admission rate and below-average test scores, Wilkes serves a different student population than top-performing programs in the state, yet we can't know whether their graduates match, exceed, or fall short of these statewide estimates. The Department of Education suppresses the data when graduate cohorts are too small, which could mean anything from a new program to consistently low enrollment—neither particularly reassuring for a field that should be growing.

If your child is set on Wilkes for other reasons (location, fit, scholarships), these estimates suggest the program wouldn't be financially catastrophic. But without actual outcomes data and with stronger-performing programs clearly available in Pennsylvania, you'd essentially be making a bet on an unproven track record when alternatives with documented results exist.