Career Paths After an MSITM, MSIS, MIS or Similar Degree
These degrees can lead to very different roles depending on technical depth, prior experience and specialization. National labor-market figures are useful context, but they are not promises of starting salary for any program.
| Occupation | 2025 U.S. median pay | 2025–35 growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer & Information Systems Managers | $175,140 | 16% |
| Software Developers | $135,980 | 15%* |
| Information Security Analysts | $129,180 | 21% |
| Data Scientists | $120,230 | 35% |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $105,850 | 8% |
*BLS reports the broader software developers, QA analysts and testers category at 15% projected growth. Figures are national occupation medians, not graduate starting salaries.
Match the career direction to the curriculum
| Career direction | Program features to prioritize | Programs worth investigating |
|---|---|---|
| AI implementation / AI product | Required AI/ML, GenAI/RAG, data engineering, cloud/deployment and responsible AI | UT Austin, Maryland Smith, USF AI in Business and other Very High AI-exposure programs |
| Technology consulting / transformation | Systems analysis, enterprise architecture, project/product work, analytics and employer-facing projects | Broad MSIS/MIS/MISM programs such as Kelley, CMU, UT Dallas, Texas A&M and Georgia State |
| Analytics / data | Statistics, SQL, predictive modeling, visualization, ML and data management | Rutgers MITA, UConn MSBAPM, UWM AI/Data Analytics and analytics-heavy MSIS programs |
| Cyber / audit / governance | Security architecture, controls, risk, compliance, audit and cloud security | Temple ITACS plus cyber concentrations within broader IT/IS programs |
| Technology leadership | Strategy, finance, organizational change and management layered on prior technical experience | Working-professional formats such as Virginia Tech MIT, GW MSIST and USF Digital Transformation |
Common program-to-career patterns
- IT strategy / consulting: systems analysis, enterprise architecture, transformation, project/product management.
- Data / AI: analytics, data engineering, data science, AI/ML implementation and AI product work.
- Cybersecurity: security analysis, governance/risk/compliance, cloud security and IT audit.
- Software / cloud: application development, cloud engineering, platform and DevOps-adjacent roles.
- Technology leadership: typically requires prior experience; a master’s can strengthen the path but does not substitute for management experience.
Source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage data / 2025–35 projections.
See school-reported program outcomes.
Updated September 2026.