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Major · Computer & Information Sciences

The broad entry point into computing, systems, and information work

Computer and Information Sciences, General is an undifferentiated computing major that spans programming, systems, and information concepts without locking into a single specialization. About 34,556 degrees are awarded annually across more than 913 colleges. It is available at both the associate's and bachelor's levels, making it one of the more flexible on-ramps into computing careers.

Schools offering
913
Annual completions
34,556
Typical degree level
Associate's + Bachelor's
Median earnings (5yr)
$83k

About this major

Computer and Information Sciences, General (CIP 11.0101) is the catch-all classification for computing programs that do not fit neatly into a more specific discipline. The CIP definition is explicit: this label applies when a program's content is "undifferentiated as to title and content" — meaning it intentionally spans computing, computer science, and information science without committing to one. In practice, programs under this label range from broad liberal-arts-inflected computing degrees to flexible tracks that let students sample across systems, programming, databases, and networking before specializing.

That breadth is both the feature and the limitation. Students who know they want to write software and build systems from the ground up may find Computer Science more efficient; those who want to work with infrastructure and business systems may find Information Technology more direct. What this major offers is flexibility — the ability to develop computing competencies across multiple domains, often at institutions where a dedicated CS or IT program is not available or where the CIP-11.0101 umbrella covers a curriculum with its own distinct emphasis.

The scale of the major is significant. About 34,556 degrees are awarded annually across 913 colleges — institutions ranging from Georgia Tech (1,206 bachelor's completions) to University of the People (1,070 combined completions) to Southern New Hampshire University (1,024 combined completions). That spread across institutional types reflects the major's flexibility but also means program quality and content vary considerably. Five-year median earnings for bachelor's completers run about $90,129, with the top career destination — computer and information systems managers — reaching a $171,200 median wage.

Section 3 · Careers

Where this major leads

Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.

Occupation Median wage Job growth Typical education
Computer and information systems managers $171k +15.2% Bachelor's degree
Computer systems analysts $104k +8.7% Bachelor's degree
Computer occupations, all other $109k +8.2% Bachelor's degree
Network and computer systems administrators $97k -4.2% Bachelor's degree
Software quality assurance analysts and testers $103k +10.0% Bachelor's degree
Computer network architects $130k +11.9% Bachelor's degree
Web and digital interface designers $98k +7.0% Bachelor's degree
Database administrators $105k -0.7% Bachelor's degree
Section 4 · Earnings

Earnings at a glance

Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.

Median 5-year earnings

$83k

Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings

Associate's

$56k

Bachelor's

$90k

Who this major is for

You may fit well here if you're drawn to computing broadly but not yet sure which slice of it you want to commit to — if you're equally interested in how networks work, how databases are structured, and how software is built, and you want a degree that lets you develop competency across those areas before narrowing down. This major is also a practical choice if the specific institution you're targeting offers this program with a track or concentration that matches your goals more precisely than the generic label suggests; the CIP classification does not always match the actual curriculum emphasis.

The degree-level data is worth taking seriously here. Bachelor's completers report median five-year earnings of about $90,129, while associate's completers report roughly $55,646 — a gap of about $34,500. If your end goal is a role like computer and information systems manager ($171,200 median wage, 15.2% projected growth) or computer network architect ($130,390, 11.9% growth), a four-year degree is effectively required. An associate's works if you're targeting entry-level support or technical roles, or using it as a transfer bridge to a bachelor's program.

Think twice if you already know you want to specialize in software engineering or data science specifically — Computer Science tends to be a more direct and higher-earning path to those roles, with median five-year earnings about $15,000 higher for bachelor's completers. Think twice, too, if the undifferentiated curriculum description makes you anxious rather than intrigued: this major rewards students who are self-directed enough to leverage flexibility, and can frustrate those who want a clearly mapped curriculum from day one. And if you're considering careers in network administration or database management specifically, be aware that those occupations are projecting negative growth (-4.2% and -0.7% respectively) — the stronger growth is in management, architecture, and QA roles that typically require broader experience.

Section 6 · Where to study

Top colleges for Computer and Information Sciences, General

Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.

College Location Assoc. Bach. Total
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA 0 1,206 1,206
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 0 1,135 1,135
University of the People Pasadena, CA 516 554 1,070
Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH 427 597 1,024
The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX 0 911 911
Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 0 746 746
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 0 665 665
Florida International University Miami, FL 0 646 646
Northeastern University Boston, MA 0 632 632
University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD 0 618 618
Section 7 · Explore sideways

Related majors to explore

Computer Science

50,272 completions/yr

Information Technology

20,296 completions/yr

Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance

17,632 completions/yr

Information Science/Studies

10,334 completions/yr

Computer Engineering, General

9,312 completions/yr

Computer Programming/Programmer, General

5,205 completions/yr

Communication Sciences and Disorders, General

4,781 completions/yr

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

3,699 completions/yr
Section 9 · Frequently asked

Common questions

What does Computer and Information Sciences, General actually cover?
The CIP definition is intentionally broad: it covers computing, computer science, and information science without committing to one discipline. In practice, programs under this label typically introduce programming, data management, systems concepts, and some combination of networking, databases, or software development. Because programs vary significantly by institution, it is worth reviewing individual school catalogs rather than relying on the title alone to infer what you will study.
Do I need a bachelor's, or is an associate's enough for this field?
The degree level makes a meaningful difference here. Bachelor's completers in this major report median five-year earnings of about $90,129, while associate's completers report roughly $55,646 — a gap of about $34,500. The higher-paying careers most associated with this major, including computer and information systems managers at a $171,200 median wage and computer network architects at $130,390, list a bachelor's degree as the typical credential. An associate's can work for entry-level or support roles, but the earnings ceiling is noticeably lower without the four-year degree.
What kinds of jobs do graduates of this major end up in?
The career destinations are varied. Computer and information systems managers represent the senior end at a $171,200 median wage and 15.2% projected job growth — a role typically reached after several years of experience. Computer network architects sit at $130,390 median with 11.9% growth. More accessible entry-level paths include computer systems analysts ($103,790 median, 8.7% growth) and software quality assurance analysts ($102,610 median, 10% growth). Web and digital interface designers offer a less technical route at $98,090. The broad scope of the major keeps career options wide, though more specific majors may be more efficient paths to specific roles.
How competitive is the job market for this major?
Most of the careers associated with this major show above-average growth projections. Computer and information systems managers project at 15.2%, computer network architects at 11.9%, software QA analysts at 10%, and computer systems analysts at 8.7% — all above the typical 4-5% average for all occupations. Two roles buck that trend: network and computer systems administrators project at -4.2% and database administrators at -0.7%, signaling contraction. With roughly 34,556 completions annually across 913 colleges, the candidate pool is large, so the stronger growth roles will attract competition.
Is this major the right fit, or should I look at Computer Science or Information Technology instead?
Computer and Information Sciences, General sits between the more theory-intensive Computer Science (50,272 annual completions) and the more applied Information Technology (20,296 completions). If you want the strongest theoretical foundation and highest earnings ceiling, Computer Science is a clearer path — median five-year earnings for CS bachelor's completers run about $105,888 versus $90,129 here. If you want a more applied, systems-focused curriculum, Information Technology may be more direct. This major makes the most sense when a school offers it with a specific track or emphasis that matches your goals, or when flexibility to explore multiple computing areas is a deliberate part of your plan.
What's a realistic earnings picture after graduating?
Overall five-year median earnings for this major run about $82,882 across degree levels. Bachelor's completers specifically land at roughly $90,129. Those figures reflect earnings five years out, which for many graduates means one or two jobs in — not a senior position. The higher-ceiling roles in this field — IT managers at $171,200 and network architects at $130,390 — typically require several more years of experience. Entry-level salaries will vary by employer type, location, and role, but the bachelor's-level trajectory is solidly above the national median.