Information Resources Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Information Resources Management equips students with the strategic and technical expertise needed to lead the design, implementation, and oversight of organizational information systems. This interdisciplinary field integrates core elements of technology, business strategy, and administrative leadership to ensure information assets are managed efficiently, securely, and in alignment with organizational goals.
- Telecommunications: Explores the infrastructure and protocols that enable reliable data transmission across networks, supporting real-time communication and global connectivity.
- Systems Planning and Integration: Focuses on aligning technology solutions with business objectives through comprehensive analysis, architecture design, and seamless system interoperability.
- Information Policy: Examines the development and enforcement of rules governing data access, use, retention, and ethical standards within organizational and regulatory contexts.
- Information Security: Covers strategies and technologies to protect digital assets from breaches, unauthorized access, and cyber threats, ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
- Contracting and Purchasing: Teaches the processes and best practices for acquiring technology services and hardware, including vendor evaluation, negotiation, and procurement compliance.
- Budgeting: Develops skills in financial planning and resource allocation for IT initiatives, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and return on investment in technology projects.
- Operations Management: Addresses the efficient execution of information system workflows, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement of service delivery.
- Human Resources: Integrates workforce planning, talent development, and organizational behavior principles specific to technology-driven environments.
- Communications Skills: Enhances the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders, supporting collaboration and informed decision-making.
- Applicable Law and Regulations: Provides insight into legal frameworks governing data privacy, intellectual property, cybersecurity, and compliance standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX.
Information Resources Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Information Resources Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Information Resources Management degrees, including Computer and Information Systems Managers and Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 682,210 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers 11-3021 | $171,200 | $104,450 - $239,200 | 645,970 | $82.31 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1021 | $96,690 | $48,910 - $172,380 | 36,240 | N/A |
Information Resources Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $83,220 in Montana to $174,395 in California—a 110% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 682,210 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Information Resources Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 42 institutions offering Information Resources Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Information Resources Management is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (838 graduates), Drexel University (54 graduates), University of California (UCI), Irvine (42 graduates), North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) (36 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (24 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,218 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Master's
|
838 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
|
54 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
|
42 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
24 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Western New England University (WNE) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | wne.edu |
| Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) |
Other Award
|
19 | Butte, Montana | Public | mtech.edu |
| Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Wilmington, Delaware | Private | gbc.edu |
| Abilene Christian University (ACU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Abilene, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Master's
|
14 | Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| University of Arkansas Grantham (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | LIttle Rock, Arkansas | Public | uagrantham.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
8 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| California Intercontinental University (CalUniversity) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | caluniversity.edu |
| Dominican University |
Master's
|
7 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | dom.edu |
| Capella University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| California Lutheran University (CLU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
6 | Thousand Oaks, California | Private | callutheran.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
|
6 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | uscupstate.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWL) |
Master's
|
6 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | uwlax.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Bay Path University |
Master's
|
5 | Longmeadow, Massachusetts | Private | baypath.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Master's
|
5 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | online.jwu.edu |
| Aspen University |
Master's
|
4 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | aspen.edu |
| College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Schertz, Texas | Private | cbet.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain |
Associate's
|
3 | Mena, Arkansas | Public | uarichmountain.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Bellevue University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Private | bellevue.edu |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) |
Master's
|
3 | Athens, Tennessee | Private | tnwesleyan.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Master's
|
3 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| Lawrence Technological University (LTU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Southfield, Michigan | Private | ltu.edu |
| DeSales University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | desales.edu |
| Juniata College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Huntingdon, Pennsylvania | Private | juniata.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Master's
|
2 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Lewis University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University |
Master's
|
1 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Master's
|
1 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | uwp.edu |
| University of Advancing Technology (UAT) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | uat.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Information Resources Management programs
How much can I earn with a Information Resources Management degree?
Salaries for Information Resources Management graduates vary by role and location. Computer and Information Systems Managers earn a median of $171,200 annually, while Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $96,690. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $174,395 compared to $83,220 in Montana. Approximately 682,210 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Information Resources Management programs?
Currently 42 accredited institutions offer Information Resources Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (838 graduates), Drexel University (54 graduates), and University of California (UCI), Irvine (42 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Information Resources Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 471 in 2010 to 1,218 in 2023-24. This represents a 159% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Information Resources Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Computer and Information Systems Managers, Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 682,210 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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