Information Systems major

Information Systems: courses, careers, and where to study

Information Systems bridges business and technology, teaching students to design, analyze, and manage the systems organizations run on, suiting those drawn to both computing and how companies operate.

An Information Systems (IS) major sits between computer science and business, covering systems analysis and design, databases and SQL, business process modeling, enterprise applications (ERP, CRM), data analytics, project management, and IT governance. Most programs are housed in a business school and pair technical coursework with accounting, finance, management, and economics, so graduates can translate between technical teams and the people who use the systems.

IS graduates typically work as the link between business needs and technical implementation: gathering requirements, mapping workflows, specifying and configuring systems, and analyzing data to support decisions. Many roles map to the computer systems analyst occupation, for which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $103,790 and projects 8.7% employment growth from 2024 to 2034. Graduates are employed across industries, including finance, healthcare, consulting, manufacturing, and government.

Academic classification (CIP)

In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Information Systems maps to CIP 52.1201, Management Information Systems, General, within the BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES family. The official definition:

A program that generally prepares individuals to provide and manage data systems and related facilities for processing and retrieving internal business information; select systems and train personnel; and respond to external data requests. Includes instruction in cost and accounting information systems, management control systems, personnel information systems, data storage and security, business systems networking, report preparation, computer facilities and equipment operation and maintenance, operator supervision and training, and management information systems policy and planning.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov

What you'll study

  • Systems analysis and design, requirements gathering, and the SDLC
  • Relational databases, data modeling, and SQL
  • Business process modeling and workflow analysis
  • Enterprise systems such as ERP and CRM platforms
  • Data analytics, reporting, and dashboards for business decisions
  • IT project management and agile delivery
  • IT governance, security, and risk fundamentals
  • Programming and scripting for business applications (e.g., Python, SQL, web technologies)

Typical careers

Typical salary range: BLS reports a 2024 median wage of $103,790 for computer systems analysts, a common destination for Information Systems graduates.Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.

Before you commit to a Information Systems major

CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Information Systems program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.

Ask the Information Systems department

  • Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
  • What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
  • What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
  • Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?

Ask current students & check the curriculum

  • How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
  • What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
  • Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
  • How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Accreditation & licensure: Engineering and some computing programs may hold ABET accreditation, which can matter for professional licensure (the PE path) and for some employers and graduate schools. Check whether the Information Systems programs you are considering are accredited for your goals.
Degree level & graduate study: Many Information Systemscareers are open with a bachelor's degree, but some, such as research, advanced-practice, or licensure-track roles, require a master's or doctorate. Check the typical entry-level education on each linked career page above before assuming a bachelor's is enough.

Find a Information Systems program

CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Information Systems programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.

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How this guide is sourced

This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.