15 Best Bachelor's in Information Systems Degrees

Information systems degrees prepare students to improve organizations' business operations through technology.

With bachelor's in information systems degrees, graduates enter a job market ripe with possibilities. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections, jobs for computer and information systems managers should grow by a healthy 10% from 2019-2029. Degree-holders can pursue roles in many industries and excel in a rapidly evolving field. 

Readers can anchor their school research using our ranked list, which highlights the best information systems degrees. This excellent resource for degree-seekers provides detailed information about each program. Our guide also discusses degree expectations and careers in computer information systems.

What Is Computer Information Systems?

Computers entered the business world during the 1970s, though they did not make their way to individual users until the 1980s. With cloud-based computing a modern staple of business across industries, organizations need robust information systems to manage their digital operations and protect against cyberattacks. 

With a degree in computer information systems (CIS), graduates qualify for many fulfilling jobs. Security managers and IT directors need backgrounds in CIS. With experience, employees can advance to roles as chief information officers. Related jobs include information security analysts and network and computer systems administrators. 

The BLS reports that 461,000 computer and information systems managers worked in the country as of 2019, with employment projected to grow by 11% from 2019-2029. Top-employing industries for computer information systems managers include computer systems design and related services, management of companies and enterprises, scientific and technical consulting services, and insurance carriers. 

Prospective students interested in both computers and business may gravitate toward information systems degrees. CIS managers need strong analytical and decision-making skills to help them solve problems. First-rate communication skills also help CIS employees explain situations to managers who may lack specific technical proficiency.

15 Best Bachelor's Degrees in Information Systems

Compare the top 15 information systems degrees and choose the best program to launch your career path. For more information on how we rank these programs, click on the link below.

Why Get an Bachelor's in Information Systems?

With a bachelor's degree in information systems, graduates can pursue many job opportunities. An associate degree can pave the way for certain positions, and a bootcamp can provide foundational coding knowledge to help students grasp the basics. A bachelor's degree adds business skills to computer expertise. Graduates complete their programs with a strong understanding of how to apply their technical skills to improve their prospective organizations. 

Other benefits of pursuing a bachelor's degree in information systems include:

What To Expect From Bachelor's in Information Systems Programs

A typical bachelor's in information systems provides students with the skills they need to run complex computer systems in business environments. Program participants learn to build databases and manage networks while balancing department budgets and supervising teams. 

Most information systems degrees require about 120 credits for graduation. While requirements vary, students can expect to complete around 45-60 credits in the major. Most bachelor's degrees take four years to finish, though timelines differ. Some enrollees may transfer community college credits toward their degrees, reducing program length.

While tuition costs vary greatly between programs, enrollees in public, four-year institutions paid an average of $20,958 for tuition and related fees as of the 2018-19 academic year. 

Concentration options in the computer information systems degree include cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Related degree options include computer science or business administration. Coursework typically covers business information system development, database management, cybersecurity, and various business and management principles.

Information Systems vs Computer Science Program Degrees

What the Best Information Systems Programs Have in Common

Colleges and universities strive to develop distinctive information systems degrees. Despite their differences, top programs share these key attributes:

Majors and Concentrations in Information Systems Bachelors

Prospective students can choose from several types of computer information systems degrees. A bachelor of science tends to emphasize the technology side while also providing business basics. With a bachelor of business administration in information systems, enrollees engage in a more robust business core with computer-related concentration courses.

While the degrees overlap in career options, individuals interested in executive management positions might consider more business-focused degrees. Computer science offers another possible degree path, though the curriculum diverges drastically. The section below describes the differences and similarities between computer science and information systems in more detail.

Degree-seekers can also find concentrations within information systems programs through official specializations and carefully selected electives. Cybersecurity specializations cover information security and web application security. Artificial intelligence focuses on areas like machine learning, data analytics, and game programming.

Students may also find options within a BS in information systems to focus more on business administration, shoring up program requirements with additional courses in accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Popular Information Systems Courses

Prospective students can expect to find differing curricula among the schools on their research list, but most programs share some similarities. An information systems degree typically includes a major core with both computer and business courses, plus general education requirements. Students can follow their interests by choosing electives, which programs sometimes combine into concentrations.

A computer information systems degree may also include a capstone, a hands-on project that solves a business problem through technology. Popular course requirements include:

Information Systems Online Bachelors Admission Requirements

A prospective student needs a high school diploma or GED certificate before they can apply for an information systems degree. Admission requirements vary among schools, and some programs set minimum GPA requirements. Applicants may need to submit standardized test scores, sometimes with minimum score expectations such as a 1230 SAT or 25 ACT composite. Other programs waive standardized testing entirely.

While each school requires different materials, each candidate can expect to submit an online application along with transcripts and an application fee. Standardized tests, recommendations, and essays may also appear among application requirements. To streamline the admissions process, a degree-seeker can create an application through Common App and submit to multiple schools at once.

Some information system degrees expect students to enter with a minimum number of college credits, such as those earned through associate degrees or certificates. Prerequisite requirements may include trigonometry, pre-calculus, accounting, and economics.

How Much Will a Bachelor's in Information Systems Cost?

Degree-seekers in public, four-year institutions paid an average of $20,958 for tuition, room and board, and other costs as of 2019. Factors that can influence a program's cost include school location, online versus in-person studies, and institutional prestige.

Students who opt to study at public universities in their states of residency can take advantage of lower tuition rates than those who study out-of-state. Private schools rarely differentiate tuition rates based on residency status, but their per-credit rates may run higher. Institutions with prestigious names also tend to carry higher price tags.

Distance learners can find lower rates in many programs, as schools often charge in-state or otherwise reduced tuition for online programs. They also reduce living and board, materials, and potential travel costs. Degree-seekers can fund their studies through scholarships, grants, and loans. The link below offers more information about how to finance an information systems degree.

Information Systems Careers and Salary Opportunities

Graduates with bachelor's degrees in information systems qualify for lucrative positions that blend technology and business.

With professional experience or further education like an MBA, employees can qualify for advancement opportunities. Chief executives, for example, earned a median pay of $184,460 as of 2019. Computer and information research scientists, who typically hold master's degrees, earned a median income of $122,840 as of 2019. 

Choosing the Right Computer Information Systems Program

Students can use our list of the best information systems degrees to bolster their research and compare different types of programs. However, each person's aspirations differ. Degree-seekers need to consider factors like accreditation, cost and financial aid, and program culture before committing to a school.

Every student should ensure that the school they choose holds accreditation. Regional and national accreditation assess the school as a whole. Because regional accreditation generally depends on more rigorous standards, some master's programs do not accept bachelor's degrees without regional accreditation status.

Cost also factors into the decision-making process for many degree-seekers. Prospective students should consider weighing tuition rates against available financial aid. Online programs may cost less than their in-person counterparts. The location of a school can affect its cost, so applicants should calculate cost of living and travel expenses into their overall budgets.

Students may also want to determine the culture of their prospective schools. By speaking with current enrollees and alumni, degree-seekers can discover whether a program offers a collaborative atmosphere or a more competitive environment. Prospective students might also want to explore whether a school values diversity by considering the makeup of the student body and the faculty.

Should You Get Your CIS Degree Online?

Degree-seekers can find exciting opportunities in the world of online education. This increasingly popular option allows learners to access their top-choice schools without uprooting their lives. With distance learning, students can balance home lives, responsibilities, and employment while pursuing their studies.

With no complicated supervisory requirements or in-person internships, an information systems degree translates well to an online environment. Students can learn business and computer foundations through online lectures, group projects, and forum discussions.

Online degrees require the same time and attention as on-campus programs, so prospective students should consider their ideal learning environments. Some prefer a busy campus life and lively face-to-face discussions, while others excel in a quiet atmosphere.

Online programs may run courses in real-time, with meetings occurring through video conferences, or they might present materials asynchronously. Students should consider these preferences while researching programs. Individual strengths that lend themselves to successful online learning include strong time management and self-motivation skills.

Frequently Asked Questions About Information Systems Degrees

Featured Image: FatCamera / E+ / Getty Image