Informatics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Informatics is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding how information is structured, processed, and communicated across complex systems—both natural and technological. It emphasizes the integration of technical expertise with human-centered design to develop intelligent, efficient, and accessible solutions for real-world challenges.
- Information Sciences: Explores the foundational principles of data organization, retrieval, and knowledge representation, equipping students to manage information across diverse environments.
- Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Focuses on designing intuitive, effective, and inclusive digital interfaces by studying user behavior, cognitive processes, and usability principles.
- Information System Analysis and Design: Teaches systematic approaches to evaluating, modeling, and building information systems that meet organizational needs and operational goals.
- Telecommunications Structure: Examines the infrastructure and protocols that enable reliable data transmission across networks, including wired, wireless, and cloud-based systems.
- Information Architecture and Management: Addresses the strategic design and governance of information systems, ensuring data integrity, scalability, and alignment with business or societal objectives.
Informatics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Informatics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Informatics degrees, including Computer and Information Research Scientists, Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers. 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 2,004,120 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Research Scientists 15-1221 | $140,910 | $80,670 - $232,120 | 38,480 | $67.74 |
| Software Developers 15-1252 | $133,080 | $79,850 - $211,450 | 1,654,440 | $63.98 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 15-1253 | $102,610 | $60,690 - $166,960 | 199,800 | $49.33 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers 15-1255 | $98,090 | $47,840 - $192,180 | 111,400 | $47.16 |
Informatics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $76,920 in Arkansas to $161,033 in Washington—a 109% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 2,004,120 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 Informatics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 71 institutions offering Informatics 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 Informatics is found at University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (373 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (364 graduates), Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (286 graduates), Syracuse University (240 graduates), and Indiana University (IU Indianapolis), Indianapolis (142 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,067 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
373 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
364 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
286 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Master's
|
240 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
142 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Clark University |
Master's
|
126 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | clarku.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Bachelor's
|
117 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
112 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
|
111 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
105 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
93 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
83 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
80 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
68 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
67 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
55 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Master's
|
44 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
42 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
40 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
25 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
25 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSE) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | New Albany, Indiana | Public | ius.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fgcu.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Master's
|
20 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Master's
|
20 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
18 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| St. Thomas University (STU) |
Master's
|
14 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | stu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Indiana University (IUK) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Kokomo, Indiana | Public | iuk.edu |
| Dominican University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | dom.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| New College of Florida (NCF) |
Master's
|
9 | Sarasota, Florida | Public | ncf.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Master's
|
8 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Allegheny College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Meadville, Pennsylvania | Private | allegheny.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Indiana University (IUE) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Richmond, Indiana | Public | iue.edu |
| Clemson University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Other Award
|
5 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSB) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | South Bend, Indiana | Public | iusb.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Middletown, Pennsylvania | Public | harrisburg.psu.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
4 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Andrews University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Chatham University |
Master's
|
4 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | chatham.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Kingsville, Texas | Public | tamuk.edu |
| Assumption University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | assumption.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | greensburg.pitt.edu |
| Widener University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Chester, Pennsylvania | Private | widener.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
3 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Olathe, Kansas | Private | mnu.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Capella University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| University of Montevallo |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Montevallo, Alabama | Public | montevallo.edu |
| Indiana University (IUN) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Gary, Indiana | Public | iun.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| Pratt Institute |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Abington, Pennsylvania | Public | abington.psu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Informatics programs
How much can I earn with a Informatics degree?
Salaries for Informatics graduates vary by role and location. Computer and Information Research Scientists earn a median of $140,910 annually, while Software Developers earn around $133,080. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $161,033 compared to $76,920 in Arkansas. Approximately 2,004,120 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 Informatics programs?
Currently 71 accredited institutions offer Informatics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (373 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (364 graduates), and Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (286 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 Informatics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 281 in 2010 to 3,067 in 2023-24. This represents a 991% 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 Informatics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Computer and Information Research Scientists, Software Developers, and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers. Related occupations employ approximately 2,004,120 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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