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
- Computer systems analysts
- Business Analyst
- IT Project Manager
- Database Administrator
- ERP / Systems Consultant
- Data Analyst
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.
Related occupations
Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Information Systems. Linked titles open a CampusPin career page with BLS pay and outlook data; others are listed for reference.
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Database Architects
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Crosswalk: CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. A program of study does not guarantee any specific occupation.
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?
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.
Information Systems by state
- Information Systems in California
- Information Systems in Florida
- Information Systems in Georgia
- Information Systems in Illinois
- Information Systems in Maryland
- Information Systems in Massachusetts
- Information Systems in New York
- Information Systems in North Carolina
- Information Systems in Pennsylvania
- Information Systems in Texas
Related majors
Computer Science
Computer Science combines the mathematical foundations of computation with practical software engineering, preparing graduates for careers in software, AI/ML, security, data, and research.
Information Technology
Information Technology (IT) focuses on applying computing systems to organizational needs, administering networks, supporting users, building business systems, and managing IT operations.
Business Administration
Business Administration is the most popular U.S. major, a broad foundation in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and economics that prepares graduates for nearly any industry.
Data Science
Data Science combines statistics, programming, and domain expertise to turn raw data into decisions, drawing on machine learning, visualization, and data engineering.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity prepares graduates to defend networks, systems, and data, combining computing fundamentals with offensive and defensive security techniques and the policy frameworks that govern them.
Put this major in context
The salary above is an occupation-wide median from federal data, not a starting wage or a guarantee. These CampusPin guides and reports help you read it well, see where a Information Systems degree can lead, and weigh it against cost and program quality.
Explore Computing & Math careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
Explore Management careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
How one major leads to many careers
Why a single Information Systems degree can open more than one path, and how to read the occupations above.
Why a median wage is not a starting salary
How to read a BLS median, and why early-career pay usually sits below it.
When accreditation and licensure matter
How program accreditation and state licensure can shape a Information Systems path before you enroll.
Does a pricier college pay off?
How college cost lines up with graduation and earnings, an association, not a ranking.
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.