Is Information Systems a Good Major? [2024 Guide]
By Joy Miller
Edited by Briana Sukert
Updated on October 4, 2024
As you’re planning your college career, you might be wondering, “Is information systems a good major?”
If you’re interested in computers, data, and business, this exciting field may be a good fit for you.
Technology know-how is needed in nearly every industry these days, so having a degree in information systems can help set you up for success in a variety of fields and positions.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Yes, information systems is a good major for many undergraduate students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a job growth at 11% in computer and information technology occupations for the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Common information systems careers in this field include management analyst, computer systems analyst, information security analyst, computer and information systems manager, and database administrator.
Whether you choose to focus on management information systems or computer information systems, you can learn valuable skills that are highly sought-after in today’s workforce. Companies collect vast stores of data, and they need trained professionals who can store, organize, understand, and protect it.
The information systems field of study combines business and technology studies. As a result, you may develop a unique set of skills that can help you foster communication between departments and inform decision-making processes.
Pursuing a management information systems degree or a computer information systems degree can prepare you for a variety of data-related jobs with corporations and other organizations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many computer and management information systems positions, such as the ones below, are growing at a rapid rate and pay a median annual salary well above the national average.
As an information security analyst, your job would involve protecting an organization’s data from hackers and other security threats. You may also develop mitigation plans that could be put into effect if a breach did occur.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that this job category is growing at a 31% rate. Financial institutions and healthcare organizations are just a few of the businesses that are looking for these types of professionals.
As an information systems manager, you may oversee IT professionals and report to your company’s directors or executive leaders.
After gaining experience as a manager, you may be eligible to receive a promotion to information systems director. Eventually, you might even advance to a chief technology officer (CTO) role.
Management information systems is a good major for many students and could prepare you to improve management practices through data analytics. In this role, you’d advise companies on the best ways to streamline operations, increase efficiency, or reduce costs.
Management analysts, whether self-employed or on the staff of a consulting service, often serve as consultants who perform short-term work for a variety of businesses. Others are employed by one specific company for whom they provide insights.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in computer and information technology pay an average annual salary of $91,250, and they are expected to increase at an 11% rate for the next decade.
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $151,150 |
| Software Developer | $110,140 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,590 |
| Database Administrator | $98,860 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,730 |
| Computer Programmer | $89,190 |
| Management Analyst | $87,660 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $86,200 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $84,810 |
| Web Developer | $77,200 |
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for most of these jobs, but some companies may prefer to hire or promote candidates who also hold a masters degree in information systems.
If you’re comfortable with technology and can find your way around a computer, you might be a good candidate for a degree in information systems.
Students who major in information systems study programming languages and other computing topics, such as software engineering and cybersecurity. Math skills can also help you succeed in an information systems program. It’s common to take statistics and analytics courses.
You may also want to consider whether you are interested in both business and technology. Professionals in this field typically handle responsibilities related to both of these disciplines.
As an information systems professional, you may use technology and data management to benefit businesses and other organizations. You could do this by building databases, improving networks, analyzing data, or designing business applications.
As an information systems major, you’ll study databases, computer programming, networks, systems analysis, and operating systems. Other topics may include data analytics and business intelligence.
This curriculum will help prepare you to work as a database administrator, an information systems manager, a computer programmer, or an information security analyst. Technology, finance, and healthcare are some of the sectors that often hire these professionals.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that people who work in the field of computers and information technology earn an average salary of $91,250 per year.
Working as a computer and information systems manager is one of the highest-paying jobs related to information systems. It pays an average annual salary of $151,150. That management position can be especially lucrative if you secure a job in the information industry. The average annual income for those professionals is $166,770.
The second-highest paying industry for computer and information systems managers is computer systems design industry. Those information systems managers earn an average of $157,580 annually.
The difficulty of an information systems major will depend on your aptitude for math and technology.
You can expect to learn about computer programming during this course of study. You may benefit from previous experience with programming languages, but it’s not a prerequisite. There may be statistics courses too. If you took high-level math classes in high school, you might have an edge up on these classes.
Finally, you may want to be prepared for hands-on practice with various business intelligence and data management applications. The more willing you are to jump in and try your hand at developing such programs, the more you may learn.
There are two different branches of information systems that you could choose for your college program. Both involve using technology to enhance business operations.
In computer information systems, the main focus is on the technology involved. With a CIS degree, you’ll be ready to support an organization’s computer networks and maintain cybersecurity.
Management information systems deals more with the business side of things. An MIS degree will prepare you to use data for business growth and development. Despite these distinctions, you may be able to pursue similar jobs whether you choose an MIS major or CIS major.
If you want to study computer components and how they function together, then a computer science degree might be a strategic college program for you to consider.
For success in this field, it’s advantageous to possess strong math skills. Computer science will also emphasize programming languages.
An MIS major has more of a business focus than computer science does. If you choose this field of study, you’ll learn about using technology to deal with an organization’s data. In addition to building databases, you may also perform business analytics.
The field of information technology is a subset within the larger category of information systems. Both information systems majors and information technology majors will study computers and other aspects of technology.
If you’re in an information systems program, you may study applications and computers to find the best solutions for each business need. In particular, you may learn about data management and analytics.
On the other hand, information technology college programs usually address the inner workings of technological systems. IT professionals may be instrumental in building, upgrading, and troubleshooting networks and databases.
Yes, an information systems bachelors degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 11% job growth in computer and information technology occupations over the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Common information systems careers in this field include software developer, computer programmer, network administrator, computer systems analyst, and information systems manager.
Some jobs in this field are increasing at a particularly quick rate. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects to see a 31% growth rate for information security analyst jobs over the next decade.
If you want to acquire in-demand skills that can lead to reliable paychecks, then you may want to consider getting a degree in information systems online. Whether you are earning your bachelors, masters, or PhD in Information Systems online, this field of study can help equip you with technical knowledge and the ability to apply it in business settings.
You may use your information systems bachelors degree to work as a systems analyst, a database manager, or an operations analyst. These are growing job categories, so you may have your choice of workplaces, including business, healthcare, and government settings.
To prepare for an exciting career in information systems, you may want to take a look at MIS or CIS online bachelors degrees at accredited universities.
Start building your future—click “Find My Program” to explore your options.
Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.
