Top Information Systems Schools: Undergraduate Programs

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses rely heavily on effective data management to maintain a competitive edge. A bachelor's degree in information systems (IS) equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to assist organizations with their data and information needs. This article explores various aspects of undergraduate information systems programs, including career opportunities, curriculum, accreditation, and factors to consider when choosing a school.

The Growing Importance of Information Systems

The use of computers has dramatically increased, impacting nearly every aspect of modern culture. Over 550,000 professionals are currently employed as information systems managers, and the demand for such roles is projected to remain strong in the future. Information systems professionals play a crucial role in bridging the gap between technology and business strategy.

Career Opportunities with an Information Systems Degree

An information systems degree from an accredited institution provides foundational skills and knowledge in both business and technology. Most entry-level positions in information systems require at least a four-year degree. Graduates can pursue diverse IT-related roles across various industries, including:

• Computer and Information Systems Managers: These professionals identify an organization's IT goals and implement computer-based solutions to achieve those objectives.
• Computer Network Architects: Computer network architects collaborate with an organization's management and staff to plan, implement, and manage communication networks. Network architects can advance in their careers by becoming senior network engineers, network managers, or IT managers.
• Computer Systems Analysts: These analysts research, test, and recommend technologies to improve an organization's efficiency.
• Database Administrators and Architects: These professionals are essential in data-driven sectors like finance and insurance. They create and maintain secure databases that fit user needs and prevent data loss.

IS graduates are not restricted to the software industry; most students accept positions in business sectors such as energy, financial services, retailers, airlines, hospitals, and consulting groups. Many information systems jobs pay exceptionally well.

Curriculum and Coursework

Students pursuing an undergraduate education in information systems can expect to take both business and technology courses for their major. A bachelor's degree typically requires 120 credits of coursework. In addition to courses relevant to their major, students also take general education courses and electives that contribute to a well-rounded education.

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Common courses in an information systems undergraduate program include:

• Introduction to Programming: This course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer programming, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills by learning to write and debug code.
• Database Design: This course teaches students how to analyze, implement, and maintain databases.
• Network Security: Students learn about common techniques used to breach secure networks and how to defend against them.
• Business Communications: This course introduces students to the norms and practices of corporate communication.
• Operations Management: Operations management introduces students to the tools used to understand and optimize business processes.

Prospective students interested in earning a bachelor's degree in information systems have options to customize their educational experience. In addition, students can minor in a second discipline alongside their major. You might pick a minor that provides intrinsic enjoyment, or one that advances your professional goals.

Accreditation

When selecting a bachelor's in information systems program, make sure that your prospective school holds institutional accreditation. Additionally, engineering and tech-oriented programs can seek programmatic accreditation from The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Factors to Consider When Choosing a School

Choosing the right information systems program is a significant decision. Consider the following factors when evaluating prospective schools:

• Location: For in-person students, choosing a local school means less disruption to your everyday life. Location is a big factor when choosing an information technology school because so many degree programs require students to do a capstone project or internship with a real business in the area. This tip applies to those considering online IT programs, too.
• Student-to-Teacher Ratio: Bigger schools may offer a larger course catalog, but smaller schools often maintain a lower student-to-teacher ratio.
• Financial Aid: The price tag for college can be quite high, and a generous financial aid package goes a long way toward lowering the cost of education. If you're set on attending a more expensive information technology school, then I advise you to make every effort you can to win some scholarship money. The cost of a bachelor's in information systems can vary depending on a number of factors. For example, in-state tuition at public schools typically costs less than studying out of state.
• Online vs. In-Person Programs: As you consider prospective programs, remember that many schools offer bachelor's in information systems degrees that are fully or partially online. Online and in-person programs offer different benefits and drawbacks. Additionally, online courses can involve synchronous or asynchronous learning. In a synchronous course, you attend scheduled lectures and discussions, usually on a video chat.

Top Schools for Computer Information Systems

Computer Information Systems is one of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #9 most popular major in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree. College Factual reviewed 532 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of computer information systems. The cis program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Computer Information Systems rankings.

Read also: Internship Opportunities for IS Majors

Here are some of the top schools in the United States for computer information systems programs:

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor: U-M is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall. There were about 1264 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Computer Information Systems degree recipients from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor receive an earnings boost of approximately $50,946 above the typical income of computer information systems graduates.
2. Carnegie Mellon University: Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall. There were about 821 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year. Computer Information Systems degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University receive an earnings boost of approximately $76,093 over the average earnings of computer information systems graduates.
3. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus: Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Georgia Tech is a great school overall. There were roughly 3298 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Tech in the most recent data year. Computer Information Systems degree recipients from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus earn a boost of about $64,733 over the average earnings of computer information systems graduates.
4. University of Pennsylvania: Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall. There were roughly 728 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Computer Information Systems degree recipients from University of Pennsylvania get an earnings boost of approximately $72,736 over the average income of computer information systems majors.
5. Johns Hopkins University: Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall. There were roughly 484 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available. Computer Information Systems degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University receive an earnings boost of approximately $68,894 over the average income of computer information systems graduates.
6. University of Virginia - Main Campus: Located in the midsize suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia. There were approximately 295 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the computer information systems program at University of Virginia - Main Campus make $35,379 above the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
7. Yale University: Located in the midsize city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Yale is a great university overall. There were approximately 204 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the computer information systems degree program at Yale University earn $70,605 more than the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
8. New York University: Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall. There were about 1132 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Computer Information Systems degree recipients from New York University receive an earnings boost of about $28,679 over the typical income of computer information systems graduates. NYU is an excellent choice for pursuing an education in IT and related fields at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students learn in small class environments and take a diverse breadth of classes, from math and economics to networking and database design. Undergraduates can pursue a BS in Computer Science.
9. Northeastern University: Northeastern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. This university ranks 6th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts. There were roughly 1156 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent year we have data available. Those computer information systems students who get their degree from Northeastern University earn $53,582 more than the standard cis graduate.
10. Cornell University: Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall. There were roughly 394 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available. Those computer information systems students who get their degree from Cornell University earn $44,984 more than the average cis student.
11. University of Texas at Austin: Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas. There were roughly 953 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.
12. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Located in the city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means MIT is a great school overall. There were about 13 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at MIT in the most recent year we have data available.
13. University of Washington - Seattle Campus: Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 50 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington. There were approximately 927 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the computer information systems program at University of Washington - Seattle Campus make $18,207 more than the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
14. Virginia Tech: Located in the small city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population. This school ranks 2nd out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia. There were roughly 500 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the computer information systems major at Virginia Tech make $33,744 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
15. Rice University: Rice is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Houston. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas. There were about 197 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the computer information systems program at Rice University earn $68,466 above the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
16. University of Wisconsin - Madison: Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin. There were roughly 1062 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Computer Information Systems degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison earn a boost of approximately $17,878 above the typical income of computer information systems graduates.
17. University of Notre Dame: Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 41 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana. There were about 140 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available.
18. George Mason University (GMU): GMU is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Fairfax. This university ranks 4th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia. There were roughly 885 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available.
19. University of Florida: Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 70 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida. There were about 459 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year. Those computer information systems students who get their degree from University of Florida receive $27,963 more than the typical cis grad.
20. Temple University: Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 103 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania. There were about 343 computer information systems students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent data year.

Other notable schools offering undergraduate programs in information systems include:

• Lehigh University: At Lehigh's College of Business and Economics, students can enter the BS in Business Information Systems program, which requires them to take courses on management information systems and business data management.
• Brigham Young University (BYU): At BYU, students can choose between two IT-related majors: a BS in Information Technology and a BS in Cybersecurity. IT students must complete a year-long capstone project, which involves meeting the technical needs of a client who sponsors the project.
• Purdue University: Furthermore, Purdue offers an MS in Computer and Information Technology with specializations ranging from bioinformatics to cyber learning to information security.
• Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT): A pioneer in computer science and technological education, RIT is a reputable private institution based in New York.
• Florida State University (FSU): At FSU's School of Information, students can get a bachelor's degree in information technology or information, communication, and technology.
• Pennsylvania State University (Penn State): You can also earn a BS and MS in IT (or related fields) at the same time through Penn State's Integrated Undergraduate Graduate program.
• New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT): NJIT is a premier technological university with lots of options for those who wish to study IT at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Skills and Qualities for Success

Information systems professionals should have sharp analytical skills, an understanding of business strategy, and a strong ability to communicate clearly. Because information systems involves computer science, you'll need some facility with mathematics.

Distinguishing IT from Computer Science

While often used interchangeably, information technology (IT) and computer science have distinct focuses. Computer science centers on the creation and theories behind computer applications and programs, while IT focuses on using computer programs to send, retrieve, and store information for businesses.

Read also: Comprehensive SIS Guide

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