Ph.D. in Information Systems
with Kat Campise, Data Scientist, Ph.D.
Considering a PhD in Information Systems? At the intersection of computer science, business, and information technology lies a highly specialized field poised for immense growth over the next decade. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 16% job growth in the field by 2031, much faster than the average occupation.
This guide is designed for those interested in continuing their education following the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems or a Master’s Degree in Information Systems, highlighting the curriculum and time commitment required as well as a cost-benefit analysis to help determine if pursing a PhD in Information Systems is the right next step for your career.
Master’s vs. a Ph.D. in Information Systems
Within the U.S. academic system, a Master’s Degree in Information Systems will lead you down the research path, to a point. Culminating in a master’s thesis, a master’s degree program typically takes 2 years to complete and is considered a shorter and less in-depth application of your coursework than a PhD. In contrast, a PhD in Information Systems program is focused on completing a lengthy dissertation and a set of rigorous exams (this last requirement differs depending on the program and university). A PhD, ultimately, is a research degree that advances a brand-new idea or innovation within the discipline. You could say that a master’s thesis is an exploratory analysis that supports a given hypothesis while PhD research is more extensive and results in a book-length and detailed exegesis of your approved topic.
Career Outlook
According to Kat Campise, Data Scientist, PhD, most PhD trajectories head straight for a career in academics where “publish or perish” is the ongoing mantra. There are exceptions as graduates of PhD programs launch or continue careers in government, finance, technology and business; advancing to positions including, but not limited to, senior information manager, chief information offer, chief technology officer, director of systems development, or director of information technology operations.
It is worth noting that a gap exists between business expectations and academic perceptions of value. The world of business is focused on the “bottom line.” Due to the widespread adoption of data science, businesses are more amenable to an academic research approach, but with the caveat that the value constraints, such as key performance indicators, risk measures, etc. continue to drive the determination as to whether a job function is providing an increase in their financial inflows while keeping costs to a minimum. Also, while a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for many entry-level positions, a master’s degree is often required to advance across most industries. Meanwhile, academia’s valuation is in how (and if) you’re pushing the research in your field of expertise forward. In academia, post-doctoral job expectations include teaching, writing, attaining grant funding, attending and presenting at conferences, and conducting research. The focus here is solely on intellectual capital rather than filling the corporate coffers.
Earning Potential
As of their May 2021 employment survey, the BLS lists the median annual salary for information systems managers as $159,010. Entry-level information systems (IS) professionals may expect salaries closer to $95,220. However, the top 10% of IS managers often earn more than $208,000 per BLS data. Compensation depended on several factors including education, certifications, specific skill set, and years of experience.
According to Campise, whether you’ll hit the top of the pay scale after you complete an Information Systems PhD depends on where you intend on applying those learnings (i.e., industry and specialization) and how you market yourself. While those who’ve completed a doctorate tend to have higher median earnings than their master’s degree level cohorts, it is not a guarantee.
Guide to Choosing a PhD Program in Information Systems
If after reading the above you’ve decided that you’re ready to embark on the PhD in Information Systems path, then the steps below will take you through the next phase: applying to a PhD program.
Step 1: Assess your location and time commitment constraints
PhD level degrees aren’t for the faint of heart. You’ll be committing a substantial amount of mental and financial energy toward completing all coursework, attempting to publish your research, attending conferences, and following the requirements for your dissertation. Depending on the school, program, and whether you’re a full or part-time student, a typical PhD program takes an average of six years to complete.
Online vs. On Campus
An important factor to consider is whether you wish to complete your PhD through a traditional on campus program or online. While on-campus programs remain popular, numerous respected, accredited schools now offer the flexibility of online PhD programs. Online programs are ideal for working adults who require asynchronous scheduling with the option of evening or weekend classes and meetings. Many online PhD programs are hybrids that require an on-campus presence at certain points throughout the program.
When determining whether an online or in-person program is right for you, consider answering the following questions. Is there a local university that offers a PhD in Information Systems or, alternatively, a PhD in Computer Information Systems? Are you willing and/or have the financial ability to relocate for such a program? Do you have the time to travel to and from campus along with completing the research and writing? What other commitments do you have that limit the time and energy needed to complete a PhD?
Your answers should help you choose between an on campus and online program as well as jump-start your initial list of university options, which should be narrowed down before you reach the final step: applying to one or more universities.
Step 2: Review the curriculum
The PhD emphasis in most disciplines is a theoretical approach. Your academic goal as a PhD in Information Systems student is to learn and test established theories that will lead you to derive a theory of your own. As you peruse the course requirements for each potential university, you may notice the use of the term seminars. Seminars are discussion-based as opposed to traditional lectures where the professors speak at the students. It’s likely that you’ll be assigned published research papers to read, analyze, and discuss with your professor and fellow students during the class. Some PhD programs combine seminars with lectures in terms of the type of courses offered. Others may only incorporate the lecture environment. Consider your learning style while you’re reviewing the curriculum.
The course topics for a PhD in Information Systems usually include theories in information systems, qualitative and quantitative research in information systems along with technical applications via statistics, analytics, and machine learning. You’ll spend a great deal of time thoroughly learning how to conduct research in the field. Many programs offer a concentration option such as healthcare, cybersecurity or analytics.
Since a PhD course of study will consume a huge chunk of time and effort, it’s important to self-assess your level of interest. It’s extremely likely that you’ll have moments of doubt and lack of motivation at some point during the degree, says Campise, but an intense interest in a certain concentration can help carry you through the trials and tribulations.
Step 3: Perform a cost-benefit analysis
Completing a PhD comes with financial and opportunity costs. If there are ample grants or fellowships available for research, then you may be able to earn some money or reduce tuition costs while you’re completing the degree. This is not guaranteed. Working full time during a PhD might be marginally feasible. Tuition costs vary between $7,000 and more than $30,000 per year. That’s only the tuition and doesn’t include your living and travel expenses (for conferences). Attaining a graduate assistantship and/or teaching lower-level university courses can help offset the financial outflow. On the other hand, you may lose some work experience (in the business world) or need to put your job search on hold while you complete the PhD requirements. That said, it’s important to carefully weigh the sacrifices you’ll be making in the short term with the potential benefits that can occur in the long run. If you’re planning on entering or returning to the realm of private business, practice your research skills and run a search on various job sites. Review information systems jobs, their salary, and compare that to the education requirements. Can you earn significantly more with a PhD in Information Systems or by attaining a PhD in Computer Information Systems? Also, what are the factors motivating you to complete this advanced research degree?
Step 4: Analyze the admission requirements
Minimum scores on the GRE or GMAT are required for entrance to most PhD programs. International students are generally required to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS; the TOEFL tends to be the favored test for English proficiency. Each school will have their own cutoff range which is usually listed on the department’s website (wherever the PhD in Information Systems is housed). As always, official transcripts will be required, and many set a Master’s Degree in Information Systems as the minimum level of education considered as viable for program entry. This, however, is not 100% consistent. Other majors may be admissible, and in some cases a bachelor’s degree might be acceptable in lieu of a master’s degree.
Expect to spend additional money on application fees (approximately $60+). You’ll find that most applications must include a Statement of Purpose (SOP), and likely another writing sample. Some PhD applications also require the addition of a research paper that you’ve written in a prior class or have published (in a journal or a conference paper). The SOP for a PhD application should address how your research interests align with either the department or specific faculty members. You’ll likely be choosing your dissertation committee members from within the departmental faculty, so matching their research focus is particularly important. Research interests evolve throughout the degree, but it’s ok to focus on a specific area when applying.
On Campus Listings
Arizona State University – Tempe, Arizona
PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems
Program Length: 84 Semester hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $11,864 (Resident), $23,372 (Non-resident)
Course Offerings
Auburn University – Auburn, Alabama
Ph.D. in Business-Information Systems
Program Length: 28 Credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $1361 per hour credit (Resident) $2,431 per hour credit (Non-resident)
Course Offerings
Baylor University – Waco, Texas
PhD in Information Systems Program
Program Length: 54 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $22,400.2 estimate tuition and required fees per semester
Course Offerings
Carnegie Mellon University – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Ph.D. Studies in Information Systems & Management
Program Length: 54 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $27,396
Course Offerings
Colorado Technical University – Manitou Springs, Colorado
Ph.D. Studies in Information Systems & Management
Program Length: 100 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Not required
2020-2021 Tuition: $598 per credit hour
Course Offerings
Drexel University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PhD in Information Science
Program Length: 24 post-master’s course credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Not Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $1,265 per credit hour
Course Offerings
Emory University – Atlanta, Georgia
PhD Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM)
Program Length: 4 years
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $20,900 per semester
Course Offerings
Florida State University – Tallahassee, Florida
Management Information Systems
Program Length: 27-33 credit hours yearly
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $479.32 per credit hour (resident) $1,110.72 per credit hour (non-resident)
Course Offerings
Georgia State University – Atlanta, Georgia
Information Systems
Program Length: 66 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: Tuition will be completely covered if you are accepted
into this program. For out-of-state graduate students, this represents a benefit of approximately $49,000 per year if you register for fall, spring and summer.
Course Offerings
Harrisburg University – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems Engineering & Management
Program Length: 30 credit hours per semester
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $800 per semester hour
Course Offerings
Indiana University– Bloomington, Indiana
PhD in Information Systems
Program Length: 40.5 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $1,330 per credit hour
Course Offerings
Iowa State University– Ames, Iowa
PhD in Information Systems
Program Length: 74 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $10,504 (Resident), $23,790 (Non-resident)
Course Offerings
Michigan State University– East Lansing, Michigan
PhD in Business Information Systems
Program Length: 30 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $769.50 per credit (Resident), $1,498.50 (Non-resident)
Course Offerings
Mississippi State University– Mississippi State, Mississippi
PhD in Business Information Systems
Program Length: 71-74 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $4,325 per term
Course Offerings
New Jersey Institute of Technology– Newark, New Jersey
Ph.D. in Information Systems
Program Length: 33-48 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $31,074 (resident) $40,802 (non-resident)
Course Offerings
New York University– New York, New York
Doctoral Program in Information Systems
Program Length: 5 years
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $111,616 (based on nine month academic year)
Course Offerings
Nova Southeastern University– Fort Lauderdale, Florida
PhD in Information Systems
Program Length: 64 Credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus or Hybrid
GRE Required: Not Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $12,075 per term
Course Offerings
Purdue University– West Lafayette, Indiania
PhD Management Information Systems
Program Length: 4 Years
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: Tuition-waiver and other funding opportunities are provided for the entire four-year duration
Course Offerings
Rutgers University– Newark, New Jersey
Ph.D. in Accounting Information Systems
Program Length:72 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $8,616.00 term (Resident) $14,652.00 term (Non-resident)
Course Offerings
Temple University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PhD Management Information Systems
Program Length: 4 Years
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: All admitted students receive full financial support including tuition and stipend
Course Offerings
Texas Tech University – Lubbock, Texas
Ph.D. in Business Administration, Concentration in Management Information Systems
Program Length: 60 Semester credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $326 per credit (resident) $741 per credit (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Arizona – Tucson, Arizona
Management Information Systems
Program Length: 42 units
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $837 per unit (resident), $1,781 per unit (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Arkansas– Fayetteville, Arkansas
Information Systems PhD
Program Length: 72 graduate semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree and 42 graduate-only semester hours beyond the master’s degree
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $23,548 per academic year (resident), $40,766 per academic year (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Colorado Denver – Denver, Colorado
PhD. Computer Science and Information Systems
Program Length: 60 course hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $10,760 per year (Resident) $31,640 per year (Non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
PhD in Business Administration (Management Information Systems)
Program Length: 5 years
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $363 Credit hour (Resident), $1,029 Credit hour (Non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Houston – Houston, Texas
Ph.D. in Management Information Systems (MIS)
Program Length: 51 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: Students receive a tuition waiver for four years (less student-paid fees). It is recommended to have a “fund” of $5,000 designated for paying the tuition every semester which will be reimbursed.
Course Offerings
University of Illinois at Chicago – Chicago, Illinois
PhD in Management Information Systems
Program Length: 60 Semester Hours
Delivery Method: Campus or Online
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $10,716 (in-state), $12,853 (out of state) per semester
Course Offerings
University of Iowa – Iowa City, Iowa
PhD in Management Sciences
Program Length: 72 Semester Hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: 100% covered tuition cost and fees
Course Offerings=
University of Maryland – College Park, Maryland
Information Systems PhD
Program Length: 42 Credits Minimum
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $717.00 per credit (resident), $1,548.00 per credit (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Maryland Baltimore County – Baltimore, Maryland
Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems
Program Length: 5 area courses
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $640.00 per credit (Maryland resident), $1,099.00 per credit (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Massachusetts-Amherst – Amherst, Massachusetts
PhD Program in Information Systems
Program Length: 45 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Not Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $8,262.00 Total Tuition & fees for 12+ credits (resident), $16,812.50 Total Tuition & fees for 12+ credits (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Memphis – Memphis, Tennessee
Ph.D. in Management Information Systems
Program Length: 60 hours (minimum)
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $609.00 per credit (TN Resident), $801.00 per credit (Non-TN Resident)
Course Offerings
University of Michigan-Dearborn– Dearborn, Michigan
Ph.D. in Information Systems Engineering
Program Length: 50 hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Not Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $406 per credit hour (Resident), $778 per credit hour (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of North Carolina Charlotte– Charlotte, North Carolina
Ph.D. in Computing and Information Systems
Program Length: 72 post baccalaureate credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $2,168.50 for 9+ Credit Hour (NC resident), $8,885.50 for 9+ Credit Hour (NC resident)
Course Offerings
University of North Carolina Greensboro– Greensboro, North Carolina
Ph.D. in Information Systems
Program Length: 71-84 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $3,700 per semester (in-state), $10,600 per semester (out-of-state)
Course Offerings
University of North Texas– Denton, Texas
Information Systems Ph.D. Program
Program Length: Minimum of 69 hours of graduate credit beyond the Master’s degree or 99 hours of graduate credit beyond the Bachelor’s degree.
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $21,646 annual cost (resident), $29,332 annual cost (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Pennsylvania– Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ph.D information systems (IS)
Program Length: 16 course credits are required for graduation
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Not Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $39,470 plus the general fees and health insurance per academic year
Course Offerings
University of Pittsburgh– Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PhD in Information Systems and Technology Management
Program Length: 12 Courses
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $1,308 per credit
Course Offerings
University of Rochester– Rochester, New York
PhD in Business Administration major in Computers and Information Systems
Program Length: 90 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $1,925 per credit
Course Offerings
University of South Florida– Tampa, Florida
PhD in Business Administration Information Systems Concentration
Program Length: Minimum of 90 Credit Hours beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $431.43 per credit (resident), $863.64 per credit (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Texas at Austin– Austin, Texas
Information Systems Doctoral Program
Program Length: 4 to 5 years
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $5,530 per semester (resident), $19,365 per semester (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Texas at San Antonio– San Antonio, Texas
Ph.D. in Information Technology
Program Length: 84 semester credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $705.45 per semester credit hour (resident), $1,640.58 per semester credit hour (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Texas Dallas– Dallas, Texas
PhD in Management Science, Information Systems Concentration
Program Length: 4 to 5 years
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $29,286 – $29,740 Total (resident), $53,128 – $54,364 Total (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Utah– Salt Lake City, Utah
Ph.D. in Business Administration with a major field in Information Systems
Program Length: 55 degree hours minimum
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $264.06 per credit hour (resident), $929.38 per credit hour (non-resident)
Course Offerings
University of Washington– Seattle, Washington
Information Systems PhD Specialization
Program Length: 30 Credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $16,590 annual tuition (resident), $20,881 annual tuition (non-resident)
Course Offerings
Washington State University– Pullman, Washington
PhD in Management Information Systems Concentration
Program Length: 37 Credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
2020-2021 Tuition: $23,485 per academic year (resident), $37,721 per academic year (non-resident)
Course Offerings
Walton College– Fayetteville, Aarkansas
PhD in Management Information Systems Concentration
Program Length: 72 Credits
Delivery Method: Campus
GRE Required: Required
Tuition: $23,548 per academic year (resident), $40,766 per academic year (non-resident)
Course Offerings
Online Listings
University of Bridgeport – Bridgeport, Connecticut
PhD Technology Management
Delivery Method: Online
GRE Required: minimum score of 155 in both Verbal and Quantitative
Tuition: $31,305 per year
Course Offerings
Capella University
PhD in Information Technology
Delivery Method: Online with in-person research seminars
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $965 per credit, $2,895 Comprehensive exam, Dissertation $2,895 per quarter
Course Offerings
Capitol Technology University
PhD in Technology
Delivery Method: Online
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $933 per credit
Course Offerings
University of the Cumberlands – Williamsburg, Kentucky
PhD Information Systems
Delivery Method: Online
GRE Required:
Tuition: $500/credit hour + $50 technology fee per Bi-term
Course Offerings
Dakota State University – Madison, South Dakota
PhD Information Systems
Delivery Method: Online
GRE Required: Yes, taken within the last 5 years. Exceptions granted for those who meet specific prerequisites.
Tuition: $34,500
Course Offerings
Northcentral University
PhD Information Systems
Delivery Method: Online
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $68,365
Course Offerings
Syracuse University
Doctor of Professional Studies in Information Management
Delivery Method: Online
GRE Required: No
Tuition: Scholarships, grants and fellowships available
Course Offerings
Walden University
PhD in Management Information Systems Management specialization
Delivery Method: Hybrid
GRE Required: No
Tuition: $68,360 – $144,220
Course Offerings
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for computer and information systems managers reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2023.
