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 |
Salary Comparison
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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
373 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
364 |
SAT: 1440-1550 ACT: 32-35 |
Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
286 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Master's
|
240 |
SAT: 1260-1430 ACT: 28-32 |
Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
142 |
SAT: 1040-1230 ACT: 21-28 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Clark University |
Master's
|
126 |
SAT: 1240-1400 ACT: 30-33 |
Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | clarku.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Bachelor's
|
117 | N/A | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
112 | N/A | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
|
111 | N/A | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
105 |
SAT: 1270-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
93 | N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
83 |
SAT: 1220-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
80 |
SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
68 |
SAT: 1120-1255 ACT: 23-27 |
Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
67 |
SAT: 1280-1460 ACT: 29-33 |
Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
55 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Master's
|
44 | N/A | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
42 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 29-33 |
Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
40 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
38 |
SAT: 1230-1490 ACT: 27-33 |
Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
|
34 |
SAT: 990-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
25 |
SAT: 1130-1320 ACT: 22-28 |
Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
25 |
SAT: 1210-1430 ACT: 26-31 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
25 | N/A | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | N/A | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | N/A | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSE) |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 1010-1190 ACT: 20-26 |
New Albany, Indiana | Public | ius.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Bachelor's
|
21 | ACT: 19-26 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 1040-1210 ACT: 20-25 |
Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fgcu.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Master's
|
20 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 19-25 |
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Master's
|
20 | N/A | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 22-27 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
16 | N/A | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| St. Thomas University (STU) |
Master's
|
14 | N/A | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | stu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Indiana University (IUK) |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 970-1180 ACT: 18-26 |
Kokomo, Indiana | Public | iuk.edu |
| Dominican University |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 934-1140 ACT: 17-22 |
River Forest, Illinois | Private | dom.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
9 | N/A | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| New College of Florida (NCF) |
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1030-1250 ACT: 20-27 |
Sarasota, Florida | Public | ncf.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Master's
|
8 | ACT: 18-24 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | ACT: 18-24 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Doctorate (R)
|
7 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | N/A | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Allegheny College |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1140-1350 ACT: 25-31 |
Meadville, Pennsylvania | Private | allegheny.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1145-1350 ACT: 22-29 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Indiana University (IUE) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1010-1220 ACT: 20-25 |
Richmond, Indiana | Public | iue.edu |
| Clemson University |
Doctorate (R)
|
6 |
SAT: 1230-1390 ACT: 28-32 |
Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Other Award
|
5 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | N/A | Lewiston, Idaho | Public | lcsc.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSB) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 970-1170 ACT: 21-25 |
South Bend, Indiana | Public | iusb.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 26-30 |
Middletown, Pennsylvania | Public | harrisburg.psu.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Andrews University |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1070-1370 ACT: 20-28 |
Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 | ACT: 18-26 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Chatham University |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 1070-1290 ACT: 23-27 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | chatham.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | SAT: 980-1160 | Kingsville, Texas | Public | tamuk.edu |
| Assumption University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | N/A | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | assumption.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | N/A | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1075-1275 ACT: 22-28 |
Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | greensburg.pitt.edu |
| Widener University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | SAT: 1050-1260 | Chester, Pennsylvania | Private | widener.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1100-1340 ACT: 18-30 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Doctorate (R)
|
2 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 |
SAT: 928-1118 ACT: 17-23 |
Olathe, Kansas | Private | mnu.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Doctorate (R)
|
2 |
SAT: 1180-1380 ACT: 26-32 |
Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Capella University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | N/A | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| University of Montevallo |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | Montevallo, Alabama | Public | montevallo.edu |
| Indiana University (IUN) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 940-1170 ACT: 21-27 |
Gary, Indiana | Public | iun.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | N/A | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| Pratt Institute |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 |
SAT: 1220-1420 ACT: 26-32 |
Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1050-1285 ACT: 20-27 |
Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1090-1310 ACT: 21-27 |
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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